Council of State (Oman)

The Council of State (Arabic: مجلس الدولة العماني‎ Majlis ad-Dawla al-ʿUmāniyyi) is the upper house of the Council of Oman. It has 83 members all of whom are appointed by the Sultan. The other house is the Consultative Assembly (Majlis al-Shura).

Council of State of Oman

مجلس الدولة العماني

Majlis ad-Dawla al-ʿUmāniyyi
Type
Type
Term limits
4 years
History
FoundedNovember 1997
Leadership
Chairman
Yahya bin Mahfoudh al-Mantheri [1]
since 8 March 2004
Deputy Chairman
Structure
Seats83
Political groups
     Non-partisan (83)
Elections
Appointment by the Sultan of Oman
Meeting place
Muscat

Legislative process

The Council of State was established in December 1997 with a Royal Decree which states (article 17) that "the State Council shall assist the Government to implement the overall development strategy and shall contribute in deepening the roots of the Omani society, maintaining the achievements and ascertaining the principles of the basic law of the state".[2]

In October 2011, the legislative process was amended by a new Royal Decree; the Council of Ministers now refers a draft law to the Consultative Assembly which has to approve or amend it within 3 months of referral. The draft law is then referred to the Council of State which has to approve or amend it. If the two bodies disagree, they take a vote to resolve the difference. If an absolute majority approves the draft law the Chairman of the Council of State refers it to the Sultan.[3]

Functions

Identified Article 17 of the State Council and the Shura system to the Council of State does everything possible to assist in the implementation of development plans and contribute to the consolidation of the inherent values of the Omani society and preserve the achievements and reaffirm the principles enshrined in the Basic Law of the State, and separated article (18) of the same system in order to achieve its goals the following powers:

  • Preparation of studies that help in the implementation of development plans and programs and contribute to finding appropriate solutions to the economic and social constraints.
  • Make proposals that would encourage investment in various productive and service sectors and the development of economic resources.
  • Provision of studies and proposals in the field of human resource development and improve the performance of administrative bodies in order to serve the community and to achieve the overall objectives of the state.
  • Review bills issued before taking action, and with the exception of laws that require the public interest filed directly to His Majesty the Sultan and offers recommendations of the State Council regarding the draft legislation submitted to the Council of Ministers.
  • Study what transmits it to His Majesty the Sultan or the Council of Ministers of the topics that serve the public interest, and to express an opinion where

Requirements
  • Must be an Omani citizen.
  • Must have aged not less than 40 years of age (Gregorian calendar years) on the date of appointment.
  • Never sentenced of a felony or crime involving moral turpitude or trust, even if he/she is rehabilitated.
  • Not affiliated to a security or military authority.
  • Not interdicted by a judicial judgment.
  • Not suffering from a mental illness.

Composition

The State Council has 83 members; they are appointed by the Sultan for a 4-year term.[2]

Selection

The members of the council are mainly:

  • Former Ministers, Undersecretaries and their equivalents.
  • Former ambassadors.
  • Former senior judges.
  • Retired senior officers.
  • Those who are known for their competence and experience in the fields of science, arts, and culture, and professors of universities, colleges, and higher institutes.
  • Dignitaries and businessmen.
  • Persons who have performed distinguished services to the Nation.
  • Whomsoever His Majesty the Sultan chooses and who does not fall under the preceding categories.
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See also
  • List of Chairmen of the Council of State of Oman
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References
  1. "State Council delegation returns from Sri Lanka visit". Muscat Daily.
  2. "Royal Decree No. 86/97". Shura. Archived from the original on 19 September 2011. Retrieved 23 August 2013.
  3. "Oman's Sultan Qaboos gives larger role to Shura". Gulf News. 21 October 2011. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
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