The House of Councillors of the Kingdom of Morocco

The House of Councillors of the Kingdom of Morocco

Current president

H.E. Mohamed Ould Errachid

There are 279 (273 males and 3 females) members in the Council of Advisors of the Kingdom of Morocco all elected for a duration of 9 years. One third of the members are elected into the Council every year.

The process of entry into the chamber is by election, through local authorities and election by members of Trade Union Chambers. Members of the Council are elected through an Electoral College, which is constituted by the elected members of local authority and members of Trade Union Chambers. A member of the Council can loose his membership of the Council before the end of his tenure for legal reasons like election irregularities in which case he has to leave the chamber for the execution of justice.

The Council has two sessions in a year. The first session starts in October while the second starts in April. Each of these sessions lasts for 3 months. Additional sessions may be held on a request from the Government and two third majority support of members of the Council.

The King of Morocco has the power to dissolve the Council within the tenure or at the expiration of the tenure, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 27 of the constitution.

The Council of Advisors and the Lower Chamber compliment each other within constitutional framework.

PRINCIPAL OFFICERS
The President of the Council presides over the activities of the Chamber. He is elected by an absolute majority in the first round, then a simple majority in the second round for a 3-year tenure.

THE PRESIDENT HAS AS FUNCTIONS:
1. To direct the Council administratively and financially.
2. To represent the Council at local and international meetings.
3. To take charge of the activities of the Council and delegate powers to others when necessary.

He is the third in rank in the Moroccan National Order of Precedence.

OTHER PRINCIPAL OFFICERS WHO ARE ALSO ELECTED INCLUDE:
1. Five Deputy Presidents
2. Three Secretaries General
3. Three Accountants

They deputize for the President in his absence and help in the General administration of the Council. They also represent the Council at functions.

COMMITTEE SYSTEM
There are 6 committees in the Council, each made up of 45 members. The Presiding Officer is a member of one of the committees.
Bills are sent to the committees from the chamber for study and analysis and the committees can recommend changes where necessary. The committees also hold special meetings to discuss very important issues.

The members of the committees elect the Chairmen for a period of 3 years. They preside over committee meetings, prepare reports and present them at the plenary sessions.

POLITICAL PARTIES
There are 11 Political Parties represented in the Chamber. They are by name:

1. National Congress of Liberals
2. National Peoples’ Movement
3. National Movement
4. Independence Party
5. Socialist Union
6. Constitutional Union
7. Democratic Union
8. Democratic Socialist Movement
9. National Democratic Party
10. The Ahed Party
11. Socialist Party
These Parties have different representations ranging from 1 to 50 representatives.

FUNCTIONS OF THE CHAMBER
The Council of Advisors of Morocco has no direct oversight functions on the other Arms of Government but it has the mandate to legislative on and supervises the Government’s performances. It presents initiatives within the powers of the Parliament, through mutual visits and participation in international forums.

The chamber has standing rules for the conduct of its business and can control or discipline erring members.
Members cannot be arrested and cannot be sued based on the civil or criminal law unless the immunity is lifted.

The Council is autonomous in the recruitment of staff and it controls its own budget. A new organizational chart is being prepared.

ADDRESS

Mohammed the 5th Street
Rabat – Kingdom of Morocco
Tel: 037-204703, 037-761116
Fax: 037-204703, 037-762474