The Governing System of the
Kingdom of Bahrain
His Majesty, the King
Shaikh Hamad Bin Isa Al
Khalifa
H.H. the Prime Minster
Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al
Khalifa
H.H. the Crown Prince &
Deputy Commander in Chief
Shaikh Salman Bin Hamad Al
Khalifa
1
The Governing System of the
Kingdom of Bahrain
The Governing System of Bahrain is a HEREDITARY
CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY based on the separation
of all authorities but with full cooperation among them
2
The Governing System of the
Kingdom of Bahrain
H.M The King
The Legislative
Authority
Two Chambers
The Executive
Authority
Ministries
The Judicial
Authority
The Crown Prince Deputy
Commander in Chief
Courts
The Court of
Cassation
Shura Council
Ministry of Justice
Representatives
Council
Ministry of Islamic
Affairs
The Court of Appeal
Ministry of Foreign
Affairs
The High Court
Ministry of Labour
The Lower Courts
Ministry of State
Administrative Court
Ministry of Health
Civil Court
Ministry of Information
etc
Criminal Court
The Shari’a Courts
The Constitutional
Court
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His Majesty the King,
Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa

H.M. The King is the head of the Kingdom and
Commander In - Chief, responsible for all policies both
internal and external.

He is in charge of all three authorities :
1)
Executive Authority : government ministries,
organizations, councils, establishments, etc
2)
Judicial Authority : all courts
3)
Legislative Authority : the National Assembly comprising
of the two chambers : the Shura Council (appointed by
H.M. the King) and the Representatives Council (elected
directly by the people)
4
His Majesty the King,
Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa

H.M the King may revise the constitution,
propose laws, decrees, and has the
authority to approve laws proposed by the
Legislative Authority.

H.M appoints Ministers and Ambassadors.

H.M. issues orders for Municipality and
Parliamentary elections, and appoints
members to the Shura Council.
5
H.H. The Prime Minister ,
Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa

The Prime Minister is the head of the Government Cabinet which is the
Executive Authority.

H.H is appointed by H.M. the King.

H.H. the Prime Minister appoints High officials , and coordinates with the
leadership in planning and implementing national strategies .
6
H.H. The Crown Prince & Deputy Commander in-Chief ,
Sheikh Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa

H.H. Shaikh Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa was sworn - in as Crown Prince
of the Kingdom of Bahrain on March 9th, 1999 and assumed the post of
Commander-in-Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force on March 22nd, 1999.

H.H. the Crown Prince is currently the Head of the Economic Development
Board (EDB), and he is the force behind the modern economic development
of the Kingdom.

His Economic Vision is currently being implemented into strategies and
plans.
7
The Constitution
Bahrain has had two constitutions in its modern history. The first one
was approved in 1973, followed by the first elected parliament . But due
to political differences the Parliament was dissolved.
8
The Constitution
 Following the accession of H.M. the King in 1999 the
National Charter Action was compiled and written in
2001 by a committee of selected nationals (both men and
women) from various backgrounds and representing all
specialties.
 The National Charter Action stipulated the main points
of how a new democratic society should be based on, the
form of rule it should have , the rights of its people and
their responsibilities, etc.
9
The Constitution

In a National Referendum 98.4% of the
people of Bahrain voted in favour of the
National Charter Action, which became the
main source of rule in the Kingdom and
resulted in the amended Constitution.
10
The Constitution
The Constitution of the Kingdom consist of 6 main chapters ;

the State ,

the Basic principles of the society ,

Public Rights & Duties,

Constitutional Authorities ,

Financial Affairs & General Provisions.
11
The Constitution
The main amendments in the Constitution are :
1.
The setting up of the National Assembly : made up of 2
chambers of equal numbers (40 in each) :
a.
The Shura Council (the Upper House) appointed by H.M.
the King.
The Council of Representatives (the Lower House) elected
directly by the people.
b.
2.
Citizens , both men and women are entitled to participate in
public affairs and may enjoy political rights including the
right to vote and to stand for elections .
12
Introduction
The aim of this presentation is to give a brief over view of the
process of how both the Shura and the Representatives ‘Councils
operate within their legislative and supervisory powers as
stipulated in the National Constitution.
13
The Organizational Structure of
the Two Councils
 The Shura Council members (40) are appointed by H.M.
 The Representatives’ Council members are elected directly by the
people every four years.
 Each Council has a Chairman and two Deputies.
 H.M. The King appoints the Shura Council Chairman for the full term.
 Members of the Shura Council elect their two deputies annually.
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The Organizational Structure of
the Two Councils
 Members of the Representatives ‘ Council elect their
Chairman and the two Deputies for the full four years.
 The Remaining 37 Members in each council choose to serve
on one of the following STANDING COMMITTEES :
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The Standing
Committees
The Economical & Financial
Affairs Committee
(8 Members)
The Legislative & Legal
Statutory Affairs Committee
( 8 Members)
The Foreign Affairs, Defense &
National Security Committee
(7 Members)
The General Services
Committee (7 Members)
The Public Utilities &
Environment Committee
(7 Members)
The Woman & Child Affairs
Committee
(Shura Council Only)
(7 Members)
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Functions Of The Councils
The main function of the Shura and Representatives Councils
is LEGISLATION – which is the process of making LAWS –
which are the rules that decide what CAN and CANNOT be
done in the country.
17
Legislation
 They start as PROPOSED LAWS presented by the Government on a specific
issue.
 These PROPOSED LAWS are passed on FIRST to the REPRESENTATIVES
COUNCIL which in turn passes them on to the specialized COMMITTEE for
careful study with the concerned officials and legal staff.
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Legislation

The Committee presents its recommendations and
amendments on the Proposed Law, together with their
justifications, to the council.

Members of the Council discuss in detail each article in the
Proposed Law and vote on accepting or rejecting it.
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Legislation

If all articles in the Proposed Law are accepted , it is passed over
to the Shura Council and goes through the same process.

If the Shura Council accepts all amendments made to the
Proposed Law and with no additions, it goes to the Government
to become a LAW.
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Legislation
 If the Shura Council disagrees with any amendment made by the Representatives’
Council , or have additional amendments , the Proposed Law is sent back to the
Representatives’ Council for a second review and voting.
 If those amendments or additions are not accepted , it goes back to the Shura Council
who can either accept the amendments made by the Representatives’ Council or
insist on its own.
21
National Assembly
 In the case of an impasse the National Assembly is convened on
the disputed items.
 The National Assembly is chaired by the Chairman of the Shura
Council , and in his absence by the Chairman of the
Representatives ‘ Council.
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Suggestions for Proposed Laws
 SUGGESTIONS FOR PROPOSED LAWS can also be presented by
members of either councils. Those are forwarded to the specialized
Committee for review and discussion with the concerned officials and
legal staff.
 The committee will submit to the council its recommendations and
justifications to accept the SUGGESTED PROPOSAL , reject it or
defer it.
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Suggestions for Proposed Laws
 If the Council accepts it, then it is forward to the
Government to be put in the form of a PROPOSED LAW,
which will then go through the same cycle.
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The Supervisory Role of The
Councils

The Shura Council ‘s supervisory role is limited to members
submitting questions to Cabinet Ministers on any issue related to
their Ministry.

The Representatives’ Council has a bigger role in this area :
1)
Members can submit written questions to Cabinet Ministers.
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The Supervisory Role of The
Councils
2)
Five Members can submit a written request to have a formal questioning
session with any Cabinet Minister on specific issues related to that
ministry. This could lead to impeachment.
3)
Members can submit written requests to the Government requesting
actions on matters of public interest. The Government can either comply
or indicate in a written response its inability to do so.
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Voting System in Bahrain
Bahrain is divided into five main GOVERNORATES:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Capital
Muharraq
Central
Northern
Southern

Candidates from each governorate: both (men and
women) can submit their names for elections in
accordance with specific rules: personal data (age /
qualifications etc)

Each candidate can start his own election campaign
on the specific date designated by H.M, the King.
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Voting System in Bahrain

No Official Media covers any specific candidate ‘s
campaign.

Specific dates are set for elections in all
governorates and election takes place under strict
supervision.

Nationals (both men and women) of the age of 20
years and above can vote in their governorates.

Polling of results is done on the same day under
strict supervision.

A second round of elections is set for candidates
with close results.

Final results are announced at the close of the
second round of elections.
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Any questions ?
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