Legislative Branch
Further information: Legislative Council of BruneiUnder the 1959 constitution there was an elected Legislative Council (Malay: Majlis Mesyuarat Negera), but only one election has ever been held, in 1962. Soon after that election, the assembly was dissolved following the declaration of a state of emergency, which saw the banning of the Brunei People's Party. In 1970 the Council was changed to an appointed body by decree of the Sultan. In 2004 the Sultan announced that for the next parliament, fifteen of the 20 seats would be elected. However, no date for the election has been set.
The Legislative Council currently consists of 20 appointed members, and has only consultative powers. Although there are no elections, the following legal parties exist:
- Brunei National Solidarity Party (PPKB)
- Brunei People's Awareness Party (PAKAR)
- National Development Party (Brunei) (NDP)
Former parties include:
- Brunei National Democratic Party (BNDP)
- Brunei People's Party (Parti Rakyat Brunei)
Read more about this topic: Politics Of Brunei
Famous quotes containing the words legislative and/or branch:
“The dignity and stability of government in all its branches, the morals of the people, and every blessing of society, depend so much upon an upright and skilful administration of justice, that the judicial power ought to be distinct from both the legislative and executive, and independent upon both, that so it may be a check upon both, as both should be checks upon that.”
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826)
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