National Council (Bhutan)

National Council (Bhutan)
Name	National Council of Bhutan
Legislature	Parliament of Bhutan
House type	Upper house
Established	2008
Leader1 type	Chairperson
Members	25
Voting system	Mixed: nonpartisan elections and royal/monastic appointments
Last election	2018 National Council election
Meeting place	Thimphu

National Council (Bhutan) The National Council is the upper chamber of the Parliament of Bhutan established under the Constitution of Bhutan of 2008. It functions alongside the National Assembly of Bhutan within Bhutan's bicameral legislature and plays roles in review, legislation, and oversight that relate to institutions such as the Monarchy of Bhutan, the Druk Gyalpo, and agencies including the Royal Civil Service Commission, Royal Audit Authority, and Election Commission of Bhutan.

History

The National Council was created as part of the democratic transition influenced by figures like Jigme Singye Wangchuck and codified in the Constitution of Bhutan (2008). Its origins trace through consultative processes involving the Lhengye Zhungtshog, councils of regional administrators such as the Dzongkhag, and precedents from monastic institutions including the Central Monastic Body. Key moments include the drafting of the constitution, consultations with the Royal Advisory Council and inputs from commissions like the Gross National Happiness Commission. The chamber's formation paralleled events in neighboring systems, including comparisons with the Rajya Sabha and the House of Lords, while drawing uniquely on Bhutanese traditions such as the Driglam Namzha and the role of the Zhabdrung historically.

Composition and Membership

The Council comprises 25 members: twenty elected representatives from each Dzongkhag and five appointed members including representatives of the Je Khenpo and nominated citizens. Members are nonpartisan, distinguishing them from members of the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa and other political parties active in the National Assembly elections. Membership rules intersect with offices like the Royal Bhutan Police and the Armed Forces (Bhutan) which are ineligible for candidacy, as are certain positions tied to the Judicial Service Commission and the Office of the Attorney General. Chairs and deputy chairs are selected from among members, echoing leadership roles observed in bodies such as the United Nations General Assembly and the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

Powers and Functions

The Council exercises review powers over legislation originating primarily from the National Assembly, exercising functions comparable to upper houses like the Senate of Canada or Rajya Sabha. It can introduce and deliberate on bills concerning national importance, conduct appellate-type oversight relevant to agencies such as the Royal Audit Authority and the Royal Civil Service Commission, and provide advice to the King of Bhutan on matters including appointments to constitutional offices like the Chief Justice of Bhutan and the Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Commission. The chamber also has consultative roles during emergencies declared under statutes comparable to provisions seen in the Constitution of India and consults with commissions like the Election Commission of Bhutan.

Legislative Process and Procedures

Bills may be introduced in the National Assembly or, in limited circumstances, in this chamber where the Council provides deliberation, amendment, and assent recommendations before return to the Parliament of Bhutan for concurrence. Procedures reflect principles embedded in the Constitution of Bhutan (2008), including timelines for consideration and reconciliation mechanisms akin to joint sittings in other legislatures such as the United States Congress conference committees. The Council operates plenary sessions in the capital, Thimphu, adopting rules influenced by parliamentary manuals used by bodies like the Parliament of the United Kingdom and administrative precedents from the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.

Committees and Oversight

The Council maintains subject committees to examine policy areas, paralleling committee structures in assemblies such as the European Parliament and the Rajya Sabha. Committees conduct inquiries, summon officials from ministries like the Ministry of Finance (Bhutan), the Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs (Bhutan), and agencies including the National Environment Commission and the Ministry of Health (Bhutan). Oversight functions extend to reviewing reports from the Royal Audit Authority, investigating issues related to development projects funded by partners such as the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank, and engaging with international bodies like the United Nations Development Programme on matters of national interest.

Elections and Qualification Criteria

Elections to the Council occur using a nonpartisan format in each Dzongkhag under regulations administered by the Election Commission of Bhutan. Candidates must meet qualifications stipulated by the Constitution of Bhutan and electoral laws, including citizenship criteria connected to historic documents like the Driglam Namzha and disqualifications for holders of offices similar to those governed by the Judicial Service Commission and the Royal Civil Service Commission. The electoral process has produced members who previously served in institutions such as the Royal Audit Authority, the National Assembly of Bhutan, NGOs working with Royal Society for Protection of Nature, and academic posts at Royal University of Bhutan.

Relationship with Other Government Bodies

The Council interacts regularly with the National Assembly of Bhutan, the Monarchy of Bhutan, the Lhengye Zhungtshog led by the Prime Minister of Bhutan, and constitutional institutions including the Judiciary of Bhutan, the Anti-Corruption Commission (Bhutan), and the Election Commission of Bhutan. Collaboration and dispute-resolution mechanisms are defined by the Constitution of Bhutan (2008) and reflect comparative practices with bodies like the Parliament of India and the Parliament of Sri Lanka. The chamber also engages civil society organizations such as the Bhutan Centre for Media and Democracy and international partners including the United Nations and neighboring administrations like those of India and China.

Category:Politics of Bhutan Category:Parliament of Bhutan