Page:Ottoman constitution of 1876.pdf/9

Rh ART. 49.

Every member of the general assembly gives his vote in person. He has the right of abstaining from voting.

ARt. 50. No one can be at the same time a member of both chambers.

ART. 51. No deliberation can be held in either chamber unless a majority of members is present.

Except in cases where a majority of two-thirds is requisite every resolution may be taken by an absolute majority of the members present.

In case of a tie the president has a casting vote.

ART. 52.

Every petition relating to private interests presented to either chamber is rejected if the enquiries which it causes prove that the petitioner has not first addressed the public officials with the petition concerned or the authority on whom these officials depend.

ART. 53.

The initiative of the proposition of a law or of the modification of an existing law belongs to the ministry.

The Senate and the Chamber of Deputies may also demand a new law or the modification of an existing law on matters comprised within their duties.

In this latter case the demand is submitted by the Grand Vizier to His Majesty the Sultan and if there be any reason for it the Council of State is charged by virtue of an Imperial Irade to prepare the draft of a law which meets the object of the proposition on information and experience furnished by the competent departments.

ART. 54.

The drafts of laws elaborated by the Council of State are submitted in the first place to the Chamber of Deputies and in the second place to the Senate.

These projects have the force of law only after having been adopted by the two Chambers and are sanctioned by an Imperial Irade.