Saudi Arabia

Municipal Councils Bylaw (Royal Decree M/61)

Formally: نظام المناطق

Regions Law, Royal Decree No. A/92 of 27 Sha'ban 1412H (1992)

Read the statute →

Sunshine Score: 23/100 (weak)
23/100

Sunshine Score

23/100
Nominal
Methodology v0.1
Advance Notice 3 days
Public Comment Not required
Closed Sessions 5 permitted categories
Minutes Required
Recording Not required
Remote Participation Not allowed
Enforcement No specified remedy, legislature exempt

Agenda & Notice Requirements

Regular Meetings
3 days

Online posting: Not required

Public Participation

Public Comment
Not required
Written Comment
Not allowed

Virtual Meetings

Member Remote Participation
Not allowed
Public Remote Comment
Not allowed

Closed Sessions

Closed (executive) sessions: Allowed under specific circumstances

Permitted Categories

Meeting Minutes

Minutes Required
Yes

Online posting: Not required

Recording & Broadcast

Recording Required
No
Broadcast Required
No

Enforcement

Violation Effect
No Specified Remedy
Standing to Sue
Any person with a legitimate interest may seek judicial review
Enforcement Body
Board of Grievances (Diwan al-Mazalim)

Scope

This law applies to:

  • Majlis Baladi
  • Majlis Mintaqa

Legislature: Exempt (follows own rules)

Sources & References

Notes

Saudi Arabia's Regions Law (1992) establishes مجالس المناطق (regional councils) as consultative bodies chaired by regional governors (Emir). Municipal councils (مجالس بلدية) were introduced by separate decree; half of municipal council seats became elected in 2005, expanded 2011 and 2015. Council meetings are not public as a matter of law; agendas and minutes are not systematically published. Statute seeded with explicit caveat — Saudi Arabia has no open-meetings law in the Western sense, and this entry captures the structural framework only.

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The specific rules for Saudi Arabia may differ from this general description. Consult the full statute for details.