| Parliament name (generic / translated) |
Majlis Al-Shura / Advisory Council |
| Structure of parliament |
Unicameral |
| BACKGROUND |
| Dates of election / renewal (from/to) |
17 June 2016 |
| Timing and scope of renewal |
N/A (members are appointed) |
The term of the Advisory Council was extended by three years to 30 June 2019 by Royal Decree (Emiri Decision No. 25 of 2016) on 17 June 2016. The statutory number of members remained at 35. As was the case in the previous legislatures, the current Advisory Council did not comprise any women. The newly appointed legislature held its first session on 1 November 2016 and re-elected Mr. Mohamed Bin Mubarak Al-Khulaifi as its Speaker.
In accordance with the Royal Decree (Emiri Decision No. 22 of 2017) issued on 9 November 2017, 28 new members including, for the first time ever, four women - were appointed to the Advisory Council. Thirteen members were reappointed. The 2017 legislature thus comprises 41 members in total, including four women. The newly appointed legislature held its first session on 14 November 2017 and elected Mr. Ahmed Bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud as its new Speaker. The new members will serve the remaining term of the members appointed in June 2016 (i.e. until 30 June 2019). |
| STATISTICS |
| Voter turnout |
| Distribution of votes |
|
|
| Distribution of seats |
|
|
| Distribution of seats according to sex |
Men
Women
Percent of women |
35
0
0.00%
|
| Distribution of seats according to age |
|
|
|
| Distribution of seats according to profession |
|
|
|
| Comments |
Source: Advisory Council (10.07.2013, 06.11.2016, 12.11.2017, 14.11.2017, 15.11.2017)
Note on the Distribution of seats according to sex
The previous legislatures - renewed in 2010 and 2013 - all comprised 35 male members, appointed by the Emir for a three-year term. The 2016 legislature, initially comprising 35 male members, now has 41 members including four women.
Note on the statutory number of the Advisory Council:
Although a Permanent Constitution was adopted in a referendum in 2003, the Advisory Council is still governed by the Amended Provisional Constitution of 1972. Article 41 of the Amended Provisional Constitution stipulates that the statutory number of the Advisory Council is 35. That article was amended by Emiri Decision No. 34 of 1996 which sets forth that "the Emir may appoint a number of other members, if he deems necessary for the public interest."
Article 77 of the Permanent Constitution stipulates that the Advisory Council shall consist of a total of 45 members, of whom 30 are directly elected and 15 are appointed by the Emir. However, elections have not yet been held. Article 81 of the Constitution stipulates a four-year term. These provisions will be applied after the first-ever elections to the Advisory Council. |
