Print Options

(1) The Council of State shall meet for the dispatch of business at least four times in a year at such time and place as the Chairman may determine.

(2) The Council of State shall also meet if requested by—

(a) the President; or

(b) Parliament; or

(c) not less than five members of the Council.

(3) The Council of State shall hold its meetings in camera but may admit the public to any meetings whenever it considers it appropriate.

(4) The Chairman of the Council of State shall preside at every meeting of the Council, and in his absence, a member of the Council elected by the members of the Council shall preside.

(5) A question for decision by the Council of State shall not be proposed for determination unless there are present in the Council more than one-half of all the members of the Council.

(6) Except as otherwise provided in this Constitution, the question proposed shall be determined by the majority of the members present and voting.

(7) The Council of State may, at any time, appoint any committees it considers appropriate and assign to them any matter or investigation which the Council may determine.

(8) The Council of State may, with the approval of the President, commission experts and consultants to advise it or to assist it in dealing with any specific issue on such terms and conditions as it may determine.

(9) A member of the Council of State who is a party to, or is a partner in, a firm which is a party to a contract with the Government shall, in any proceedings in the Council of State relating to that contract, declare his interest or the interest of that firm and shall not vote on any question relating to that contract.

(10) The proceedings of the Council of State shall not be invalidated by—

(a) a vacancy in its membership, including a vacancy not filled when the Council first meets; and

(b) the presence or participation of a person not entitled to be present or to participate in the proceedings of the Council.

(11) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the Council of State may regulate its own procedure.