Page:Constitution of Qatar (English).pdf/11

 

The term of Al‐Shoura Council shall be four calendar years commencing from the date of the first meeting; and the elections of the new Council shall be conducted during the last ninety days of the aforementioned term. The Member whose term of service expires may be re ‐ elected; and where the elections are not held at the expiry of the term of the Council or delayed for any reason whatsoever, the term of the Council shall remain intact until a new Council is elected. The legislative term shall not be extended save for necessity and by decree provided that the said extension shall not exceed the period of one legislative term.



The law shall determine the competent Judicial Authority that shall decide on the validity of the Members' election of Al‐Shoura Council.



Where for any reason a seat of one of the elected Members of Al ‐Shoura Council falls vacant at least six months before the term of the Council expires, a successor shall be elected within two months from the date of notification of such vacancy. Where, on the other hand, a seat of an appointed Member falls vacant, a new Member shall be appointed to fill the vacancy. In both cases, the new Member shall complete the term of his predecessor.



The annual term of session of the Council shall at least be eight months and the Council may not be allowed to adjourn the session until the budget of the State is approved.



Al‐Shoura Council shall commence its annual ordinary session upon convocation by the Emir within the month of October every year.



Notwithstanding the preceding two articles, the Emir shall call the Council for the first meeting following the general elections of the Council within one month of the end of election. Where the convening of the Council is delayed during this term from the date prescribed by the preceding article, then the duration of the term of the Council shall be reduced by the time difference between the two aforementioned dates.



The Emir or his nominated representative shall open the annual term of the session of Al‐Shoura Council and give a comprehensive speech in which he addresses the affairs of the State.



In the case of necessity, the Emir shall, by a decree, or upon a request by a majority of the Members of the Council call Al‐Shoura Council to an extraordinary meeting. In case of an extraordinary session, the Council shall not look into matters other than those for which the Council is convoked. Rh