An elected member may not hold both membership of the Council and a public position. If a public employee is elected for the membership of the Council, its service shall terminate as of the date of the final election results announcement. If the validity of its membership is challenged, the member shall maintain its employment without receiving a salary until the challenge is finally adjudicated. If a decision of the invalidity of its membership is issued, the member shall be reinstated in its position (job). However, if the challenge is dismissed, its employment shall be deemed terminated as of the date of the results announcement, and the retirement pension thereof shall be settled in accordance with the provisions of this Article, in accordance with the regulations stipulated for members of the Majlis A'shura.

The term of the Council shall be four (4) years, commencing from the day following the effective date of the member's nomination. Elections for the new Council shall be held within ninety (90) days prior to the expiry of such period. In the event that the elections are not held for any reason; the Council shall remain in office until elections are held. In the event that the Council is dissolved in accordance with the provisions of Article (27) therein, elections for the new Council shall be

held within (6) six months from the date of dissolution.

The Chairman takes the oath before the Minister, except if the Chairman has taken the oath before His Majesty the Sultan. The Chairman shall take the following oath before resuming his duties: “I do solemnly swear to perform my duties in the council with honesty and sincerity, to preserve the interests of the nation and citizens, and to maintain the confidentiality of the work of the Municipal Council.” Members shall take the same oath before the Chairman before resuming their duties. The Chairman, members of the Council, and representatives of government agencies shall take the oath only once during the Council’s term.

The Deputy Chairman shall be selected from among the elected members at the first meeting of the Council, in accordance with the procedures stipulated by the regulations.

The Council shall hold its sessions at the governorate headquarters. The Council may hold the sessions in another place, as deemed fit by the Chairman, provided that the sessions are to be held at one of the units of the state’s administrative body within the governorate.

Without prejudice to the provisions of the Governorates and Municipal Affairs System, the Council shall submit its decisions, on issues falling under its jurisdiction, to the minister within one week from its approval. If the Minister deems that the relevant matter does not fall under the Council’s jurisdiction, in violation of the law or the general policy of the State, the Minister is entitled to object thereto within a period not exceeding (30) thirty days from the date of its receipt, returning the objection to the Council

including the grounds thereof. If such duration lapses without objection, the decision shall be effective from the date of the Council’s approval thereof.

The Chairman shall submit to the Minister a periodic report on the Council’s work every six (6) months, who in turn shall submit an annual report in this regard to the Cabinet.

It is impermissible for Members to:
a) Execute, directly or indirectly, through the Council or its committees, any work such as contracting works, supply to the governorate, or enter into a sale or barter relationship, if for the personal interest of its spouse, one of its relatives up to the third degree, or if the member is guardian or trustee or agent of the contractor.
b) Disclose information, in any way, the member has access to through its membership.

Remuneration of the elected members of the Council and advisors shall be identified by a decision of the Minister, upon the approval of the Ministry of Finance. The minister shall also identify its disbursement mechanism.

Without prejudice to the provisions of the Governorates and Municipal Affairs System, the Council shall have the following powers, however restricted by the State’s general policy and development plans and within the scope of the governorate:
a) Propose means of investing the governorate’s resources, for the purpose of achieving sustainable development and creating job opportunities for citizens.
b) Proposing, amending or canceling municipal fees and means for their collection.
c) Setting controls and specifications for advertising and promotional boards, and setting controls for the placement of signs for commercial and public stores, upon coordination with the competent authorities.
d) Setting regulations for controlling stray and loose animals, upon coordination with the competent authorities.
e) Proposing regulations for the operation of taxis and public transportation.
f) Setting regulations for the management and organization of markets, cemeteries, slaughterhouses and landfills, without prejudice to the powers of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resource regarding the management and organization of fish markets.
g) Study draft development plans within the governorate, and propose development projects for the governorate.
h) Provide proposals on the performance of branches of government units concerned with providing services in the governorate.
i) Provide opinion on the proposed sites for development, service, economic projects, and urban plans.
j) Following up on the measures taken to prevent and remove encroachments on State property, public facilities, valley streams and beaches’ right of way.
k) Participating in determining the needs of the governorate in terms of public facilities and government services, as well as proposing projects related thereto
l) Provide recommendations on public health, and propose health requirements regulations for activities related thereto.
m) Participate with the competent authorities in determining the public benefit in development projects, in light of the conditions stipulated by the law of expropriation for the public interest.
n) Expressing opinion on structural and public urban plans and private plans in residential, commercial, industrial and tourist areas in the governorate.
o) Approving the holding of cultural, entertainment and tourism festivals, upon coordinating with the competent authorities.
p) Following up on the execution of service and development projects in the governorate, and providing comments thereon.
q) Following up on the performance of service and development contracts, based on which financial entitlements or obligations are due to the governorate.
r) Approving programs aimed at assisting groups eligible for subsidies, orphans and people with disabilities, in coordination with the concerned authorities.
s) Proposing programs for aiding those affected by natural disasters and extreme weather, in coordination with the competent authorities.
t) Propose projects related to developing the governorate and its tourist destinations. u) Urging private sector institutions and companies to contribute to the development of the local community in the governorate and participate in determining the priorities of their contributions, in coordination with the competent authorities.
v) Propose awareness and educational programs in the areas that fall under the Council’s jurisdiction.
w) Study the suggestions and complaints submitted to the Council on matters that fall under the Council’s jurisdiction and take appropriate measures in this regard.
x) Study social issues and negative phenomena in the governorate and propose appropriate solutions thereto, in cooperation with the competent authorities.
y) Work to educate the local community on the importance of preserving natural reserves and wildlife, as well as propose measures to protect the environment and its safety.
z) Communicate with the local community and private sector institutions to obtain their remarks and suggestions in order to serve and develop the governorate.