Page:Constitution of Qatar (English).pdf/12

 

Summoning and adjourning the ordinary and extraordinary sessions of the Council shall be by decree.



The Emir may by a decree postpone the meeting of Al‐Shoura Council for a period of time not exceeding one month; and the postponement of the meeting of Al‐Shoura Council shall not be repeated during one term save by the approval of the Council and for one period and such period shall not be considered as part of the term of the session.



The Council shall hold its meetings in its seat in Doha City; however, the Emir may call the Council to convene in any other place.



Prior to the discharge of their duties before Al‐Shoura Council and in an open session, the Members shall take the following oath:

"I swear by the Almighty God to be loyal to the country and to the Emir, respect Sharia law, the Constitution and the law, and safeguard the interests of the people and perform my duties with honesty and integrity."



The Council shall in its first convening and for the duration of its term of session elect a Speaker and Deputy Speaker from amongst the Members. In the event of vacancy of office of either of them, the Council shall elect to replace either of them for the rest of the duration of the term of Council. The election shall be by secret ballot and by absolute majority of the votes of attending Members; and should such a majority not be attained on the first vote, a second vote shall be taken between the two Members who obtained the highest number of votes of attending Members. Where there is a tie between the second of the two who obtained the most votes and another candidate, this other candidate shall run for the second voting and in such case the election shall be determined by relative majority. In the event that more than one candidate obtains equal votes, a lot is cast. The session shall be chaired by the most senior Member until the Speaker is elected.



The Council shall set up from amongst its Members, within two weeks from the commencement of its annual term of session, committees as may be necessary for the performance of its functions. Such committees may discharge their functions during the recess of the Council in preparation for submission of the outcomes of their work to the Council at the beginning of the following term of session.



The Council shall have a bureau consisting of the Speaker, his deputy and chairs of committees, and it shall have a general secretariat to assist the Council in the discharge of its functions. Rh