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Political Environment

Parliamentary life in Jordan faced a serious setback due to: the 1967 war, the occupation of the West Bank, and the prevailing Arab and international conditions then. The Arab Summit decision in Rabat on October 16th 1974 recognized the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) as the sole legitimate representative of the Arab Palestinian people. The Summit also approved forming a Palestinian government in the West Bank after the end of Israel's occupation there. All these factors forced Jordan to freeze parliamentary life on November 23rd 1974 in response to the resolution of the Arab Summit after the dissolution of the Ninth House of Representatives. However, on February 4th 1976, a Royal Decree inviting the 9th House of Representatives to hold an Extraordinary session was issued to introduce amendments to the Constitution. Article 73 of the Constitutions was amended and a Royal Decree was issued dissolving the House of Representatives on February 7th 1976.

Hence, Jordan had to find a new formula to fill the constitutional gap. For that purpose, His Majesty the late King Hussein Bin Talal formed the National Consultative Council during April 1978. The King’s Letter of Designation to the government that emphasized forming the Council was not a substitute for elections and full parliamentary life which would be resumed when the conditions in Jordan become suitable.

National Consultative Council

Council Chairman
The National Consultative Council Chairman was appointed by his Majesty the King by a Royal Decree for a two-year term which was also the duration of the Council.

National Consultative Council Structure
The National Consultative Council consisted of 60 members according to the Provisional National Consultative Council law no. 17/1978. Membership in the Council increased to 75 members under the amended law no. 25/1982. Members were appointed by a Royal Decree upon the recommendation of the Prime Minister.

National Consultative Council Term
The National Consultative Council term was two years to be recomposed by the end of the term as per the law. The King had the right to dissolve the Council at any time, to exempt a Council member from the Council membership, or to accept the resignation of a Council member.

Council Meetings
The opening session of the Council was held upon the Chairman’s invitation within a week from appointing the Council members. The Council Chairman would inform the Cabinet of the scheduled meeting who were entitled to attend meetings and participate in discussions with no voting right. In case critical issues came up requesting to hold a Council meeting ahead of the scheduled date, the Chairman would call for a meeting on the date deemed appropriate. The Council would specify the dates and duration of annual holidays where the Chairman should notify the Prime Minister of.

National Consultative Council Meetings Quorum
Consultative Council meetings were considered valid when at least two thirds of members were present in the opening meeting while the meetings were considered valid by the presence of the absolute majority. The Council would take its resolutions by the majority of attending members’ votes excluding the Chairman. In case of a tie, the Chairman would give the casting vote.

National Consultative Council Office
The National Consultative Council office consisted of the Chairman and two Vice Chairmen elected from members of the Council in the first Council meeting in a secret and separate ballot.

Consultative Council Committees
The National Consultative Council formed the following Committees from members by voting where no member can be in more than two committees:

  1. The Legal Committee.
  2. The Financial and Administrative Committee.
  3. The Foreign Affairs Committee.
  4. The Social and Educational Committee.
  5. Any other committee deemed necessary by the Council.

National Consultative Council Authorities

The Council enjoyed the following authorities:

  1. Study and discuss draft laws and provide the Cabinet with recommendations and feedback therein before approval. Draft laws were referred to the Council by the Prime Minister.
  2. Provide the Cabinet with feedbacks and consultation on drafting laws, annulment or amendment of any existing law.
  3. Discuss and provide the Cabinet with feedbacks and consultancy on matters of public policy. Each member of the Council had the right to request the Prime Minister or Ministers to provide clarifications about related matters.
  4. Provide the Cabinet with consultancy and feedback about services and public facilities. Each member of the Council could request clarification from Ministers on related matters.
  5. The Audit Bureau would provide the National Consultative Council with a general report on its feedbacks and comments with regard to committed violations and the due responsibility within six months after the end of the fiscal year and as requested.

Consultative Council Oversight Tools:

  1. Queries
    Council members could inquire about ambiguous issues, verify an incident, or inquire about the Government's intentions on public services and facilities.
  2. Suggestions
    members had the right to come forward with a written suggestion to the Council Chairman who would present it to the Council in the next meeting to take the needed actions or to refer it to the concerned committee.
  3. Request for discussion
    At least ten members of the Council had the right to propose a public issue for discussion with the Government. The Government also had the right to propose a public issue for discussion with the Council.
  4. Citizens Petitions presented to the Council
    Jordanian citizens had the right to file personal or public complaint to the Council.

The role of the National Consultative Council was: an advisory and consultative body for the Executive Authority, discusses public policy, study legislations and laws enacted by the Government, and discuss the Government’s public policy for the common interest. Such was the basis on which the National Consultative Council law was issued where three councils were formed as follows:

  • First: National Consultative Council
    The First National Consultative Council was formed on April 20th 1978 and ended on April 20th 1980 headed by His Excellency Ahmad Al-Lawzi and the membership of:
  • 1
    Ahmad Al-Louzi
    31
    Salim Bin Njjad
    2
    Ahmad Mahmud Al-Tarawneh
    32
    Nayef Al-Su’od
    3
    Wasfi Mirza
    33
    Saeed Al-Ghazawi
    4
    Abdullah Al-Remawi
    34
    Mamdouh Al-Sarayreh
    5
    Abdul- Wahhab Al-Majali
    35
    Muhammad Ali Bdair
    6
    Kamal Al-Dajani
    36
    Waleed Asfour
    7
    Khaleel Al-Salim
    37
    Zuhair Malhas
    8
    Radi Al-Abdullah
    38
    Ameen Shuqair
    9
    Abdul-Majeed Hejazi
    39
    Carlos Da’mas
    10
    Ja'far Al-Shami
    40
    Mahmud Al-Shareef
    11
    Ya'qoub Abu Ghoush
    41
    Jamal Al-Sha’er
    12
    Abdul-Majeed Al-Shraideh
    42
    Muhammad Ahmad Rabee’
    13
    Ishaq Al-Farhan
    43
    En’am Al-Mufti
    14
    Muhammad Farhan Al Obeidat
    44
    Taher Hekmat
    15
    Ahmad Al-Shobaki
    45
    Haiel Abu Briez
    16
    Marwan Al-Hmoud
    46
    Shafeeq Al-Zawaydeh
    17
    Muhammad Odoub Al-Zabin
    47
    Shams Aldden Othman Tash
    18
    Suleyman Arar
    48
    Widad Bolos
    19
    Abdur-Rauf Al Rawabdeh
    49
    Sultan Majed Al-Adwan
    20
    Ali Al-Sohemat
    50
    Abdullah Akho Irshedah
    21
    Nayef Al-Khraisha
    51
    Hammad Ali Al-Ma’aytah
    22
    Hamadah Al-Fawaz
    52
    Isa Al-Qsous
    23
    Solayman Al-Qdah
    53
    Jawdat Al-Sboul
    24
    Jum’ah Hammad
    54
    Khalaf Abu Nwear
    25
    Jawdat Al-Mhaisin
    55
    Sami Hassan Mansour
    26
    Atta Allah Al-Kabariti
    56
    Muhammad Younis Al’azeh
    27
    Khalid Al-Fayyad
    57
    Muhammad Khaleel Khattab
    28
    Ali Al-Basheer
    58
    Na’ela Al-Rashdan
    29
    Na’em Al-Tall
    59
    Jamal Abdul-Kareem Abu Baqar
    30
    Sulayman Al-Rtaimah
     


    Council Changes

    1. A Royal Decree was issued accepting the resignation of his Excellency Dr. Is'haq Al-Farhan from the National Consultative Council on September 15th 1978.
    2. A Royal Decree was issued accepting the resignation of Nayef Al-Khraisha from the National Consultative Council on April 25th 1978.
    3. A Royal Decree was issued appointing Barakat Al-Zuhair as member of the National Consultative Council on May 28th 1978.
    4. A Royal Decree was issued accepting the resignation of his Excellency Mr. Ja'far Al-Shami from the National Consultative Council on March 6th 1979.
    5. A Royal Decree was issued accepting the resignation of Ahmad Al-Lawzi on December 20th 1979.
    6. A Royal Decree was issued appointing Ahmad Al-Tarawneh Chairman of the National Consultative Council on December 20th 1979.
    7. A Royal Decree was issued appointing their Excellencies Muheeb Al-Khayat, and Darweesh Sayel Al-Shahwan members of the National Consultative Council on March 20th 1979.
  • Second: National Consultative Council
    The second National Consultative Council was formed on April 20th 1980 and ended on January 20th April 1984. The Council was chaired by H.E Mr. Ahmad Mahmoud Al-Tarawnah with the membership of:
  • 1
    Ahmad Mahmud Al-Tarawneh
    31
    Haiel Abu Briez
    2
    Abdul-Wahab Al-Majali
    32
    Shams Aldden Othman Tash
    3
    Kamal Al-Dajani
    33
    Widad Bolos
    4
    Khaleel Al-Salim
    34
    Sultan Majed Al-Adwan
    5
    Ahmad Abu Qura
    35
    Abdullah Akho Irshedah
    6
    Abdul-Majeed Hejazi
    36
    Hammad Ali Al-Ma’aytah
    7
    Ya’qoub Abu Ghoush
    37
    Isa Al-Qsous
    8
    Adnan Abu Odeh
    38
    Jawdat Al-Sboul
    9
    Abdul-Majeed Al-Shraideh
    39
    Khalaf Abu Nwear
    10
    Anees Al-Mo’ushar
    40
    Sami Hassan Mansour
    11
    Ahmad Al-Shobaki
    41
    Muhammad Khaleel Khattab
    12
    Marwan Al-Hmoud
    42
    Na’ela Al-Rashdan
    13
    Muhammad Odoub Al-Zabin
    43
    Muhammad Ahmad Rabee’
    14
    Suleyman Arar
    44
    Mansour Al-Batayneh
    15
    Abdur-Rauf Rawabdeh
    45
    Khaled Abd-Alnabbi
    16
    Ali Al-Shemat
    46
    Ishaq Maraqah
    17
    Taher Hekmat
    47
    Awni Al-Masri
    18
    Hamadah Al-Fawaz
    48
    Abd Mosa Al-Nhar
    19
    Solayman Al-Qdah
    49
    Mrs. Adawya Al’almi
    20
    Jum’ah Hammad
    50
    Anwar Al-Shboul
    21
    Atta Allah Al-Kabariti
    51
    Hassan Al-Momani
    22
    Khalid Al-Fayyad
    52
    Rox Al’azezi
    23
    Sulayman Al-Rtiamah
    53
    Janait Al-Mufti Dakhqan
    24
    Salim Bin Njjad
    54
    Yassen Al-Braish
    25
    Saeed Al-Ghazawi
    55
    Mardi Al-Qttameen
    26
    Muhammad Ali Bdair
    56
    Mamdouh Abu Hassan
    27
    Waleed Asfour
    57
    Barakat Al-Zuhair
    28
    Ameen Shuqair
    58
    Meflih Al-Lozi
    29
    Carlos Da’mas
    59
    Ibrahim Naji Al-Azzam
    30
    Mahmud Al-Shareef
    60
    Muhammad Ibrahim Al’zah
  • Third: National Consultative Council

    The third National Consultative Council was formed on April 20th 1982 and ended on January 7th 1984. The Council was chaired by H.E. Mr. Suleiman Arar with the membership of:
  • 1
    Abdul-Wahab Al-Majali
    39
    Sultan Majed Al-Adwan
    2
    Kamal Al-Dajani
    40
    Abdullah mohamad Akho Irshedah
    3
    Khaleel Al-Salim
    41
    Hammad Ali Al-Ma’aytah
    4
    Ahmad Abu Qura
    42
    Jawdat Rezeq Al-Sboul
    5
    Yahya Al-Khateeb
    43
    Khalaf Abu Nwear
    6
    Abdul-Majeed Hejazi
    44
    Khaled Abd-Alnabbi
    7
    Ya’qoub Abu Ghoush
    45
    Ishaq Maraqah
    8
    Adnan Abu Odeh
    46
    Mamdouh Adbul-Rahman Abu Hassan
    9
    Abdul-Majeed Al-Shraideh
    47
    Meflih Al-Lozi
    10
    Omar Al-Nabelsi
    48
    Muhammad Ibrahim Al-Azah
    11
    Omar Abdullah
    49
    Abdul-Raheem Jarrar
    12
    Anees Al-Mo’ushar
    50
    Ezz Al_Deen Al-Khateeb Al-Tamimi
    13
    Marwan Al-Hmoud
    51
    Fares Al-Sarayrah
    14
    Muhammad Odoub Al-Zabin
    52
    Hassan Rasheed Al-Gharaybeh
    15
    Suleyman Arar
    53
    Nezar Abdul-Raheem Jaradneh
    16
    Abdur-Rauf Al- Rawabdeh
    54
    Lith Farhan Al-Shbelat
    17
    Saeed Bino
    55
    Muhammad S’ed Darweesh
    18
    Ali Al-Sohemat
    56
    Mejhem Hadetheh Al-Khreshah
    19
    Jamal Al-Sha’er
    57
    Hani Al-Hejazeen
    20
    Taher Hekmat
    58
    Hamdi Muhammad Al-Habashneh
    21
    Awni Al-Masri
    59
    Nemer Aref Al-Zanati
    22
    Salman Al-Qdah
    60
    Ibrahim Ali Sulayman Al-Matalqa
    23
    Atta Allah Al-Kabariti
    61
    Abdul-Haleem Hassan Samarah Al-Zo’bi
    24
    Khalid Al-Fayyad
    62
    Yahya Khrais
    25
    Sulayman Al-Rtaimah
    63
    Mahmud Al-Kayed Al-Dergham
    26
    Salim bin Najad
    64
    Haifa Malhas Al-Basheer
    27
    Muhammad Ali Bdair
    65
    Hesham Faleh Al-Tall
    28
    Ameen Shuqair
    66
    Abdul-Qader Naji Al-Omari
    29
    Carlos Da’mas
    67
    Sa’d Hayel Al-Srour
    30
    Leila Sharaf
    68
    Meqbel Naji Al-Momani
    31
    Eid Mousa Abu Awad Al-Alaya
    69
    Samiah Nadeem Al-Ziro
    32
    Ali Abdul-Rahman Ibrahim Al-Khashman
    70
    Isa Abed Abdul-Raheem Al-Remoni
    33
    Faisal Sadeq Kan’an
    71
    Mrs. Eideh Mostafa Metleq Qanah
    34
    Muhammad Ramadan Fares
    72
    Mamdouh Al-Abbadi
    35
    AbdulJabber Tayem
    73
    Sameeh Ishaq Al-Farah
    36
    Hani Abu Hejleh
    74
    Ali Abu Irbehah
    37
    Abdul-Salam Isa Qasem
    75
    Falah Awad Al-Mkhaemer
    38
    Hesham Al-Sharari