fbpx
Wikipedia

Council of Representatives (Bahrain)

The Council of Representatives (Majlis an-nuwab), sometimes translated as the "Chamber of Deputies", is the name given to the lower house of the Bahraini National Assembly, the national legislative body of Bahrain.

Council of Representatives

مجلس النواب

Majlis an-nuwab
6th Legislative Session
Type
Type
Lower house of the National Assembly
Leadership
Ahmed bin Salman Al-Musallam
since 12 December 2022
Secretary-General
Abdullah bin Khalaf Al Dosari
since 27 October 2018
Structure
Seats40 members
Political groups
  Independents (40)
Elections
Two-round system
Last election
12-19 November 2022
Next election
12 November 2026
Meeting place
Manama
Website
www.nuwab.gov.bh

The council was created by the 2002 Constitution of Bahrain and consists of forty members elected by universal suffrage. Members are elected for four-year terms from single-member constituencies using a two-round system, with a second round being held of the top two candidates if no candidate receives 50% of the vote in the first round.[1] Candidates must be Bahraini citizens and at least 30 years old.[1]

The forty seats of the Council of Representatives together with the forty royally-appointed seats of the Consultative Council form the Bahraini National Assembly.

The last election for the council was the 2022 Bahraini general election held on 12 November 2018, with the runoff on 19 November. Following the election, Ahmed bin Salman Al-Musallam was on 12 December 2022 elected chairman of the council.

History edit

The first election under the 2002 Constitution was the 2002 Bahraini general election, which was boycotted by the Shia Islamist Al Wefaq, the country's largest political party, as well as the left-wing National Democratic Action Society, the Nationalist Democratic Rally Society, and the radical Shia Islamist Islamic Action Society. They claimed that the 2002 Constitution gave too much power to the unelected Consultative Council, and demanded a reform of the constitution. Although all candidates ran as independents due to the ban on political parties, six political societies gained representation in the Council of Representatives. The Islamic Forum and al Asalah both won six seats, Rabita al-Islami won three seats, the Shura Society and the National Democratic Assembly both won two seats, whilst al Meethaq won one.[2]

At the 2006 Bahraini general election, the four parties that boycotted the 2002 elections fielded candidates. To meet the challenge posed by Al Wefaq, the two main Sunni Islamist parties, the salafist Asalah and the Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated Al-Menbar Islamic Society, agreed to form a coalition to maximise their votes. At the election, Al Wefaq won 17 seats, Al-Menbar won 7 seats and Asalah won 5 seats. 11 seats were won by independents.

At the 2010 Bahraini general election, Al Wefaq won 18 seats, Al-Menbar won 2 seats and Asalah won 3 seats. 17 seats were won by independents. Two months later, the Arab Spring protests that started in Tunisia, spread to Bahrain in February 2011 with the start of the Pearl uprising. In a brutal crackdown, backed by 1,500 troops from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, as part of the Peninsula Shield Force, the government cleared the main protest site at the Pearl Roundabout. All 18 members of Al-Wefaq resigned from the Council in protest at governmental actions during the uprising[3] and the party was temporarily banned. The vacant seats were won by independents in the subsequent by-elections.

At the 2014 Bahraini general election, Al Wefaq again boycotted the election.[4] Independents won 37 seats with Sunni Islamists losing two of their five seats. The number of Shiite MPs fell to 14 as a result of the Al-Wefaq boycott.

At the 2018 Bahraini general election, Al-Wefaq and secular Waad were barred from fielding candidates, prompting renewed calls for a boycott. A court had banned Al Wefaq in 2016 for "harbouring terrorism", inciting violence and encouraging demonstrations which threatened to spark sectarian strife.[5] According to Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television and international print media report, Bahrain's highest court dissolved Al Wefaq and confiscated the group's funds in July 2016.[6] Waad was banned on terrorism charges in June 2017.[7] At the election, independents won 35 seats, Al Asalah won 3 seats and Al -Minbar, (effectively the successor to the National Liberation Front – Bahrain) won 2 seats.

Role in government edit

Legislative powers edit

Under the constitution, the Council of Representatives can propose constitutional amendments, legislation, accept or refuse decrees of law.

Oversight edit

Under the constitution, the Council of Representatives can express its wishes regarding public matters, question cabinet ministers in writing or person, table a vote of no confidence against cabinet ministers, a vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister is called a "motion of non-cooperation".

Motion of non-cooperation edit

A motion of non-cooperation against the Prime Minister can be held only after a threshold of ten members of the Council of Representatives bring forward a request, it is then voted on and requires a simple majority to pass. The council deliberates & then has another vote to pass a motion of non-cooperation. The motion requires a majority of two-thirds to pass. If passed it is under the King's discretion to either relieve the Prime Minister from their post & appoint a new cabinet or dissolve the Council of Representatives.[8]

Before the amendment of the constitution in 2012, a motion of non-cooperation required a majority of two-thirds of the Council of Representatives to bring forward a request. The entire National Assembly consisting of both houses then had to convene to hold a vote of a motion of non-cooperation. A majority of two-thirds was required to pass a motion of non-cooperation.[9]

To date, the Council of Representatives has not brought forward a motion of non-cooperation.

Demonstration of authority edit

In March 2012, the Council of Representatives for the first time since the council's establishment in 2002 voted to reject a royal decree issued by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. The decree was to increase the government's share in the revenues of Tamkeen, the country's labour fund, from 20% to 50%.[10]

Electoral commission edit

Sheikh Khaled bin Ali al-Khalifa, the Minister of Justice, is also the head of the electoral commission.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b Electoral system IPU
  2. ^ Bahrain's October 24 and 31, 2002 Legislative Elections The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs
  3. ^ Bronner, Ethan (2011-09-24). "Bahrain Vote Erupts in Violence". The New York Times. from the original on 2020-11-19. Retrieved 2011-09-24.
  4. ^ "A day of firsts in Bahrain elections". Gulf News. 21 November 2014.
  5. ^ Experts cast doubt on upcoming Bahrain elections
  6. ^ AP (17 July 2016). "Bahrain court orders Shia opposition group to be dissolved". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  7. ^ McKernan, Bethan (3 June 2017). "The Middle Eastern kingdom of Bahrain is quietly heading towards a 'total suppression of human rights". The Independent. Beirut. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  8. ^ "Constitute" (PDF). www.constituteproject.org. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  9. ^ "ICL - Bahrain Constitution". www.servat.unibe.ch. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  10. ^ TradeArabia News Service (7 March 2012). "Bahrain's parliament blocks labour fund plan". TradeArabia News Service.

External links edit

  • Council of Representatives official website
  • Key issues are "ignored by MPs", Gulf Daily News, 21 January 2006 covers attitudes among civil society groups to MPs' performance since 2002
  • Constitution of Bahrain (2002):Part 2 The Chamber of Deputies

council, representatives, bahrain, this, article, needs, updated, please, help, update, this, article, reflect, recent, events, newly, available, information, december, 2022, council, representatives, majlis, nuwab, sometimes, translated, chamber, deputies, na. This article needs to be updated Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information December 2022 The Council of Representatives Majlis an nuwab sometimes translated as the Chamber of Deputies is the name given to the lower house of the Bahraini National Assembly the national legislative body of Bahrain Council of Representatives مجلس النوابMajlis an nuwab6th Legislative SessionTypeTypeLower house of the National AssemblyLeadershipSpeakerAhmed bin Salman Al Musallam since 12 December 2022Secretary GeneralAbdullah bin Khalaf Al Dosari since 27 October 2018StructureSeats40 membersPolitical groups Independents 40 ElectionsVoting systemTwo round systemLast election12 19 November 2022Next election12 November 2026Meeting placeManamaWebsitewww wbr nuwab wbr gov wbr bhThe council was created by the 2002 Constitution of Bahrain and consists of forty members elected by universal suffrage Members are elected for four year terms from single member constituencies using a two round system with a second round being held of the top two candidates if no candidate receives 50 of the vote in the first round 1 Candidates must be Bahraini citizens and at least 30 years old 1 The forty seats of the Council of Representatives together with the forty royally appointed seats of the Consultative Council form the Bahraini National Assembly The last election for the council was the 2022 Bahraini general election held on 12 November 2018 with the runoff on 19 November Following the election Ahmed bin Salman Al Musallam was on 12 December 2022 elected chairman of the council Contents 1 History 2 Role in government 2 1 Legislative powers 2 2 Oversight 2 3 Motion of non cooperation 3 Demonstration of authority 4 Electoral commission 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksHistory editSee also Politics of Bahrain The first election under the 2002 Constitution was the 2002 Bahraini general election which was boycotted by the Shia Islamist Al Wefaq the country s largest political party as well as the left wing National Democratic Action Society the Nationalist Democratic Rally Society and the radical Shia Islamist Islamic Action Society They claimed that the 2002 Constitution gave too much power to the unelected Consultative Council and demanded a reform of the constitution Although all candidates ran as independents due to the ban on political parties six political societies gained representation in the Council of Representatives The Islamic Forum and al Asalah both won six seats Rabita al Islami won three seats the Shura Society and the National Democratic Assembly both won two seats whilst al Meethaq won one 2 At the 2006 Bahraini general election the four parties that boycotted the 2002 elections fielded candidates To meet the challenge posed by Al Wefaq the two main Sunni Islamist parties the salafist Asalah and the Muslim Brotherhood affiliated Al Menbar Islamic Society agreed to form a coalition to maximise their votes At the election Al Wefaq won 17 seats Al Menbar won 7 seats and Asalah won 5 seats 11 seats were won by independents At the 2010 Bahraini general election Al Wefaq won 18 seats Al Menbar won 2 seats and Asalah won 3 seats 17 seats were won by independents Two months later the Arab Spring protests that started in Tunisia spread to Bahrain in February 2011 with the start of the Pearl uprising In a brutal crackdown backed by 1 500 troops from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as part of the Peninsula Shield Force the government cleared the main protest site at the Pearl Roundabout All 18 members of Al Wefaq resigned from the Council in protest at governmental actions during the uprising 3 and the party was temporarily banned The vacant seats were won by independents in the subsequent by elections At the 2014 Bahraini general election Al Wefaq again boycotted the election 4 Independents won 37 seats with Sunni Islamists losing two of their five seats The number of Shiite MPs fell to 14 as a result of the Al Wefaq boycott At the 2018 Bahraini general election Al Wefaq and secular Waad were barred from fielding candidates prompting renewed calls for a boycott A court had banned Al Wefaq in 2016 for harbouring terrorism inciting violence and encouraging demonstrations which threatened to spark sectarian strife 5 According to Saudi owned Al Arabiya television and international print media report Bahrain s highest court dissolved Al Wefaq and confiscated the group s funds in July 2016 6 Waad was banned on terrorism charges in June 2017 7 At the election independents won 35 seats Al Asalah won 3 seats and Al Minbar effectively the successor to the National Liberation Front Bahrain won 2 seats Role in government editLegislative powers edit Under the constitution the Council of Representatives can propose constitutional amendments legislation accept or refuse decrees of law Oversight edit Under the constitution the Council of Representatives can express its wishes regarding public matters question cabinet ministers in writing or person table a vote of no confidence against cabinet ministers a vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister is called a motion of non cooperation Motion of non cooperation edit A motion of non cooperation against the Prime Minister can be held only after a threshold of ten members of the Council of Representatives bring forward a request it is then voted on and requires a simple majority to pass The council deliberates amp then has another vote to pass a motion of non cooperation The motion requires a majority of two thirds to pass If passed it is under the King s discretion to either relieve the Prime Minister from their post amp appoint a new cabinet or dissolve the Council of Representatives 8 Before the amendment of the constitution in 2012 a motion of non cooperation required a majority of two thirds of the Council of Representatives to bring forward a request The entire National Assembly consisting of both houses then had to convene to hold a vote of a motion of non cooperation A majority of two thirds was required to pass a motion of non cooperation 9 To date the Council of Representatives has not brought forward a motion of non cooperation Demonstration of authority editIn March 2012 the Council of Representatives for the first time since the council s establishment in 2002 voted to reject a royal decree issued by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa The decree was to increase the government s share in the revenues of Tamkeen the country s labour fund from 20 to 50 10 Electoral commission editSheikh Khaled bin Ali al Khalifa the Minister of Justice is also the head of the electoral commission See also editBahraini National Assembly Consultative Council of Bahrain List of speakers of the Council of Representatives of Bahrain Politics of Bahrain List of legislatures by countryReferences edit a b Electoral system IPU Bahrain s October 24 and 31 2002 Legislative Elections The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs Bronner Ethan 2011 09 24 Bahrain Vote Erupts in Violence The New York Times Archived from the original on 2020 11 19 Retrieved 2011 09 24 A day of firsts in Bahrain elections Gulf News 21 November 2014 Experts cast doubt on upcoming Bahrain elections AP 17 July 2016 Bahrain court orders Shia opposition group to be dissolved The Guardian Retrieved 18 July 2016 McKernan Bethan 3 June 2017 The Middle Eastern kingdom of Bahrain is quietly heading towards a total suppression of human rights The Independent Beirut Retrieved 8 June 2017 Constitute PDF www constituteproject org Retrieved 9 December 2019 ICL Bahrain Constitution www servat unibe ch Retrieved 9 December 2019 TradeArabia News Service 7 March 2012 Bahrain s parliament blocks labour fund plan TradeArabia News Service External links editCouncil of Representatives official website Key issues are ignored by MPs Gulf Daily News 21 January 2006 covers attitudes among civil society groups to MPs performance since 2002 Constitution of Bahrain 2002 Part 2 The Chamber of Deputies Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Council of Representatives Bahrain amp oldid 1168544814, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

article

, read, download, free, free download, mp3, video, mp4, 3gp, jpg, jpeg, gif, png, picture, music, song, movie, book, game, games.