Saudi Arabia

DICTATORSHIP

Is a government where one person, or sometimes a single group, has sole and absolute power over the state. (Bozonelos et al, 2022).

MONARCHY

Is a government where a single person leads the country under the authority of royalty, bloodlines, or some other factor of symbolic significance. (Bozonelos et al, 2022).

ABSOLUTE MONARCHY

A form of government in which a monarch wields absolute power over a state, and in which all other institutions of government are marginal. (Hague et al., 2016)

UNITARY

One in which sovereignty rests with the national government, and regional or local units have no independent powers. (Hague et al., 2016)

ISLAMIC STATE

The kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a sovereign Arab Islamic State. (Chapter 1, Article 1 of Saudi Arabia: Basic Law of Governance)

Executive Branch

The King is the Head of the State and the Head of the Government.

King/Prime Minister

The King names the Crown Prince and relieves him of his duties by Royal order (Art. 5).

Judicial Rulings Implementation

The King shall be concerned with the implementation of the judicial rulings (Art. 50).

Council of Ministers

The King is the head of the Council of Ministers/the Prime Minister (Art. 56).

Deputy Prime Minister Appointment

The King shall appoint the Deputy Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers and may relieve them of their duties by a Royal order (Art. 57).

Council of Ministers Reorganization

The King has the right to dissolve and reorganize the Council of Ministers (Art. 57).

Medal Awards

The King awards medals in the same manner as specified by the law (Art. 64).

Ministerial Appointments

The King appoints those who enjoy the rank of ministers, deputy ministers and those of higher rank, and relieves them of their posts by Royal decree in accordance with the explanations included in the law (Art. 58).

Supreme Commander

The King shall be the Supreme Commander of the armed forces and shall appoint military officers and terminate their service in accordance with the law (Art. 60).

Islamic Rulings Supervision

The King shall undertake to rule according to the rulings of Islam and shall supervise the application of Shari'ah, the regulations, and the State's general policy as well as the protection and defense of the country (Art. 55).

State of Emergency Declaration

The King shall have the right to declare a state of emergency, general mobilization and war (Art. 61).

Authority Delegation

The King may delegate parts of his authority to the Crown Prince by Royal decree (Art. 65).

Crown Prince Management

In the event of his traveling abroad, the King issues a Royal decree delegating to the Crown Prince the management of the affairs of state and looking after the interests of the people, as defined by the Royal decree (Art. 66).

Royal Decree

A formal order issued by the King delegating authority to the Crown Prince for managing state affairs.

Allegiance Council

A council responsible for determining the King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, formed on October 19, 2006.

Crown Prince

The heir apparent to the throne of Saudi Arabia, selected by the Allegiance Council.

Medical Committee

A committee tasked with preparing medical reports on the health condition of the King.

Provisional Council for Governance

A temporary council formed by the Allegiance Council, comprising 5 members to run the State's affairs.

Basic Law of Governance

The foundational legal framework governing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which cannot be amended by the Provisional Council.

Pledge of Allegiance

A formal commitment made to the newly appointed King by the Allegiance Council.

State's Affairs

The management of the Kingdom's governance and the interests of its people.

Chairman of the Allegiance Council

The leading member of the Allegiance Council who oversees its functions.

Secretary General of the Allegiance Council

The official responsible for administrative duties within the Allegiance Council.

Health Reasons

Circumstances under which the King or Crown Prince may be deemed incapable of exercising authority.

7 Days

The maximum period within which the Allegiance Council must choose a new King after the simultaneous death of the King and Crown Prince.

24 Hours

The maximum period allowed for the Allegiance Council to carry out procedures for pledging allegiance to the Crown Prince as King if the King's incapacity is permanent.

Members of the Royal Family

Individuals who comprise the Allegiance Council, totaling 35 members.

Oath

A formal promise taken by members of the Allegiance Council before undertaking their duties.

Shura Council

An advisory council that cannot be dissolved or reconstituted by the Provisional Council.

Unity of the State

The principle that the Provisional Council must safeguard during its temporary governance.

Founder King

The original monarch of Saudi Arabia from whom the descendants are chosen for governance.

Affairs of State

The responsibilities and activities related to the governance of the Kingdom.

Incapacity

The state of being unable to perform the duties of the King or Crown Prince due to health issues.

Selection of the Crown Prince

The process in which the Allegiance Council participates to choose the next heir to the throne.

Regulation

The legal framework under which the medical committee operates to assess the King's health.

Saudipedia

A source of information referenced for details about the Allegiance Council and related governance.

Powers of the Crown Prince

The Crown Prince shall assume the powers of the King on the latter's death pending the outcome of the "bai'ah" (Art. 5).

Selection Period for Crown Prince

The Crown Prince is chosen within a period of not exceeding 30 days from the date of the pledge of allegiance to the King.

Nomination Process for Crown Prince

The King nominates one, two, or three candidates from among those he deems fit to be Crown Prince after consultation with members of the Commission.

Council's Role in Crown Prince Selection

The nomination is brought before the Council, which shall exert effort to agree on one nominee to become Crown Prince.

Council's Alternative Nomination

If the Council does not nominate any of the King's candidates, it shall nominate whomever it deems eligible to be Crown Prince.

Voting Process for Crown Prince

If the King does not approve the Council's nominee, the Council shall vote on its nominee and another chosen by the King, and the one with the majority of votes shall be named Crown Prince.

Qualifications for Council of Ministers

Must be a Saudi national by descent and upbringing, well known for being upright and competent, and not have been convicted of a crime impinging on religion or honor.

Term of Office for Council of Ministers

Shall not exceed 4 years, during which a new Council shall be reconstituted by royal order (Art. 9).

Continuation of Council Duties

If the term expires before the reconstitution of the new Council, the current Council shall continue performing its duties until the new one is reconstituted (Art. 9).

Composition of the Council of Ministers

The Council of Ministers shall be composed of the President of the Council, Deputies, Ministers with portfolios, Ministers of State appointed by Royal order, and Counselors to the King appointed by Royal order (Art. 12).

Powers of the Council of Ministers

The Council of Ministers is a regulatory body presided over by the King (Art. 1) and shall have the power to set internal, foreign, financial, economic, educational, and defense policies as well as the general affairs of the State.

Implementation Oversight by Council of Ministers

The Council of Ministers shall oversee the implementation of policies without prejudicing the Basic Law of Governance and the Law of the Shura Council (Art. 19).

Review of Shura Council Resolutions

The Council of Ministers shall review Shura Council resolutions (Art. 19).

Executive Authority of Council of Ministers

The Council of Ministers shall have the executive authority and be the final authority in the financial and administrative affairs of all ministries and other government agencies (Art. 19).

Legislative Branch Qualifications

All are appointed by the King: A Saudi national by descent and upbringing, a person well known for uprightness and competence.

Legislative Branch Composition

Council (1 Speaker & 150 members)

Legislative Branch Term of Office

4 years, can be renewed.

Legislative Branch Age Requirement

A person not less than 30 years of age.

Majlis Al-Shura

Advisory council granted power to propose legislation.

Shura Decision Process

The decisions of the Shura are subject to debate and approval by the Council of Ministers, with the adoption or rejection solely within the King's discretion.

Member Resignation Process

A member may submit a request to resign his membership to the Speaker, who shall bring it before the King.

Accountability of Members

Accountability shall be done on failing to perform duties and shall be trailed according to rules and procedures to be issued by royal decree.

Member Replacement Process

On vacancy of a member position, the King shall choose a substitution and a royal decree shall be issued.

New Council Formation Timeline

A new Council shall be formed at least two months prior to the end of the current Council.

Current Council Continuation

The current Council shall remain active until the new formation is accomplished.

Newly Selected Members Requirement

Numbers of the newly selected members shall not be less than half of the current Council.

Judicial Branch Composition

Supreme Judicial Council, The Appellate Court, The Court of First Instance.

Judicial Branch Qualifications

He shall be of Saudi nationality, of good character and conduct, fully qualified to hold position of judge in accordance with Shari'ah provisions, and hold a degree from one of the Shari'ah colleges or an equivalent certificate.

Judicial Branch Special Examination

In case of necessity, persons well-known for their learning and knowledge who do not hold the required degree may be appointed as judges.

Judicial Age Requirement for Appellate Judge

He shall not be less than forty years of age.

Judicial Age Requirement for Other Ranks

He shall not be less than twenty-two years of age if he is to be appointed to any other rank in the judiciary.

Judicial Branch Term of Office

No fixed term.

Supreme Judicial Council Powers

Provide legal opinions, advise the king, and review sentences involving death, amputation, or storing.

Appellate Court Composition

Composed of Chief Judge and a sufficient number of judges.

Appellate Court Functions

Organizing and forming the panels and specifying their jurisdiction.

Judicial Branch

The branch of government responsible for the administration of justice.

Courts of First Instance

Courts that hear major civil, criminal, family, and property cases.

Summary Courts

Courts that hear minor civil and criminal cases.

Municipal Elections

Elections held at the municipal level, with the first in Saudi Arabia occurring in 2005.

Voting Eligibility Age

The age of eligible voters in Saudi Arabia was changed from 21 years old to 18 years old.

Advisory Councils Elections

Nonpartisan elections for advisory councils at the municipal level that occurred in 2015.

Membership Conditions for Municipal Councils

Every voter has the right to run in municipal elections if registered in the voters' lists, at least 25 Hijri years old, and has at least a high school education.

Legal Convictions Condition

Candidates must not be convicted of a legal limit or a crime involving breach of honor or trust unless rehabilitated.

Public Service Dismissal Condition

Candidates must not have been dismissed from public service for disciplinary reasons unless three years have passed since the dismissal.

Fraudulent Bankruptcy Condition

Candidates must not have been convicted of fraudulent bankruptcy.

Electoral Process Stages

Includes voter registration, candidate registration, candidates' election campaigns, voting, screening process, announcement of results, and appeals and grievances.

Voter Registration

The process where eligible voters are listed and recorded in specialized registers known as voter registration tables.

Candidate Registration

The process where the nomination application must be registered in the voters' registration lists within a specified period.

Election Campaigns

Advertising campaigns that begin after publishing the final lists of candidates' names.

Voting

The stage where voters cast their votes on polling day according to approved procedures.

Screening Process

An organized process through which seat winners are determined by counting the votes.

Announcement of Results

The stage where the list of winners for municipal council membership is announced along with the number of votes obtained.

Appeals and Grievances

A process allowing voters or candidates to challenge decisions of the Electoral Commission or the inclusion of names in voter or candidate lists.

Voting Rights

Voting is a right for every Saudi citizen, male or female, who meets specific conditions.

Voting Conditions

To vote, one must be eighteen Hijri years old, fully qualified, not a military man, and a resident of the electoral district.

Party System in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has no-party system; no political parties are allowed to compete with the ruler's authority.