63

Article 63 The Chamber of Deputies is the authority competent to accept a resignation from its membership. The resignation shall be deemed final only from when the Chamber decides to accept it, and the place shall become vacant from the date of that acceptance.  Dismissal of the legislature Article 64  Scheduling of elections a. If the Chamber of Deputies is dissolved, elections for a new Chamber of Deputies must be held not later than four months from the date of dissolution. If elections are not held during that period the dissolved Chamber of Deputies shall regain its full constitutional powers, and meets immediately as though the dissolution never occurred, and shall continue its business until a new Chamber is elected. Bahrain 2002 (rev. 2017) Page 17 constituteproject.org PDF generated: 28 Jun 2021, 18:28 b. Notwithstanding the preceding clause, the King may defer election of the chamber of Deputies if there are compelling circumstances whereby the Council of Ministers considers holding elections is not possible. c. If the compelling circumstances mentioned in the preceding clause continue, the King, taking the opinion of the Council of Ministers, may restore the dissolved Chamber of Deputies and invite it to convene. This Chamber of Deputies shall be regarded as extend from the date of promulgation of the Royal Decree restoring it. It shall exercise its full constitutional powers. The provisions of this Constitution shall apply to it including those pertaining to completion of the Chamber’s term and dissolution. The session the Chamber holds in such a case shall be regarded as its first session irrespective of the date of its commencement.  Legislative oversight of the executive Article 65 Upon a request signed by at least five members of the Chamber of Deputies, any minister may face interpellation regarding matters within his purview. The interpellation must be conducted in accordance with the terms and conditions determined by the rules of procedure of the Chamber of Deputies. The interpellation shall be held in the Chamber, unless a majority of its membership elects to hold it in the committee concerned. This shall occur at least eight days after the date the request was submitted, unless the minister requests the interpellation be expedited. The interpellation may lead to a vote of confidence in the minister, in accordance with the procedures defined by Article (66) of this constitution.  Cabinet removal Article 66 a. Each Minister shall be responsible to the Chamber of Deputies for the business of his Ministry. b. A question of confidence in a Minister may be put forward only at his own wish or upon an application signed by at least ten members of the Chamber of Deputies following the debate of the question put to him, and the Chamber may not give its decision on the application until seven days after its submission. c. If the Chamber of Deputies decides by a majority of two-thirds of its members to give a vote of no-confidence in a Minister, he shall be regarded as having withdrawn from the Ministry from the date of the no-confidence vote, and he shall submit his resignation forthwith.  Head of government removal Article 67 a. The subject of confidence in the Prime Minister shall not be raised in the Chamber of Deputies. b. If at least ten members of the Chamber of Deputies submit a request with cause regarding the inability to cooperate with the Prime Minister, and the majority of the members of the Chamber approve, the request shall be forwarded to the secretariat of the Chamber for deliberation and submission to the Chamber in a period not exceeding two weeks from the date of its receipt. c. The Chamber of Deputies may not decide on the matter of cooperation with the Prime Minister before seven days from the date the request was submitted to it by the secretariat of the Chamber. Bahrain 2002 (rev. 2017) Page 18 constituteproject.org PDF generated: 28 Jun 2021, 18:28  Cabinet removal d. If the Chamber of Deputies approves by a two-thirds majority vote of its  Dismissal of the legislature membership the motion of inability to cooperate with the prime minister, the matter is submitted to the King for judgment on whether the Prime Minister shall be removed from his post and a new cabinet appointed, or the Chamber of Deputies shall be dissolved.  Legislative oversight of the executive Article 68 a. The Chamber of Deputies may submit written demands to the Government on general matters, and the Government must respond in writing within six months, and if compliance is not possible, to explain the reasons. b. Upon a request signed by at least five members of the Chamber of Deputies, a general topic may be submitted for deliberation and to request clarification on Government policy, and for exchanging opinions, according to the rules of procedure of the Chamber. The secretariat of the Chamber shall append the request to the agenda of the first meeting following the receipt of the request for the Chamber to rule on the matter without deliberation.  Legislative oversight of the executive Article 69 The Chamber of Deputies may at any time form commissions of inquiry or delegate one or more of its members to investigate any matter coming within the powers of the Chamber stated in the Constitution, and the commission or member is to present the findings of the inquiry not later than four months from the date of commencement of the inquiry. Ministers and all State employees are to provide such testimony, documents and statements as are asked of them. Part 3: Provisions Common to Both Chambers  Approval of general legislation  Joint meetings of legislative chambers