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{{Short description|Supreme legislature of Mava}}
{{Short description|Supreme legislature of Mava}}
{{Infobox legislature
{{Infobox legislature
|background_color    = #417f94
|background_color    =  
| name              = Parliament of the Commonwealth of Mava
| name              = Mava Council
| native_name        = {{nobold|Kausaakkavtaagik Maava Yakiinaigaalu}}
| native_name        = {{nobold|Taapiit Maava}}
| legislature        = 50th Parliament of Mava
| legislature        =  
| coa_pic            = [[File:Coat of Arms of Mava.png|100px]]
| coa_pic            = [[File:Emblem of Mava.png|125px]]
| house_type        = Bicameral
| coa_res            = 125px
| houses            = {{ublist
| coa_alt            = Emblem of Mava
| Nominated Assembly
| coa_caption        = [[Flag and emblem of Mava|Emblem of Mava]]
| Legislative Assembly
| logo_pic          = [[File:Logo of Mava Council.png|200px]]
}}
| logo_res          = 200px
| leader1_type      = President of the Nominated Assembly
| logo_alt          = Logo of Mava Council
| leader1            = Vauta Laumaasi
| logo_caption      = Logo of Mava Council
| party1            = Independent
| house_type        = Unicameral
| election1          = 12 May 2021
| leader3_type       = Leader of the Council
| leader2_type       = Speaker of the Legislative Assembly
| leader3           = [[Kausaanek Malaati]]
| leader2           = Aamikat Uuyukluq
| party3             =  
| party2             = Independent
| election3         = 22 March 2023
| election2         = 11 January 2023
| members            = 16
| members            = {{ublist
| '''86'''
| 25 (Nominated Assembly)
| 61 (Legislative Assembly)
}}
 
| house1            = Nominated Assembly
| structure1        = Nominated Assembly composition.png
| political_groups1  = {{Color box|{{party color|Independent}}}} Independent (25)
 
 
| house2            = Legislative Assembly
| structure2        = File:Mavean_Parliament_2023.png
| structure2_res    = 250px
| structure2_alt    = Structure of the Parliament of Mava
| political_groups2  = '''Government (39)'''
*{{nowrap|{{Color box|#4f819d|border=silver}} Progressive Party (39)}}
'''Opposition (22)'''
*{{nowrap|{{Color box|#9b1d3a|border=silver}} Labour Movement (15)}}
*{{nowrap|{{Color box|#ffa200|border=silver}} Democracy and Renewal (5)}}
*{{nowrap|{{Color box|#dcdcdc|border=silver}} Independent (2)}}


| structure1        = File:Mava Council composition.png
| structure1_res    = 250px
| structure1_alt    = Composition of the Mava Council
| political_groups1  = {{legend|#888888|Nonpartisan: 16 seats}}
| committees1        =
| committees1        =
| committees2        =
| committees2        =
| joint_committees  =
| joint_committees  =
| voting_system1    = Block voting
| last_election2    = 11 May 2023
| last_election2    = 11 May 2023
| next_election2    = before 8 May 2025
| next_election2    = before 8 May 2025
| session_room      = Territorial Legislature Yellowknife Northwest Territories Canada 03.jpg
| session_room      =
| session_res        = 260px
| session_res        =  
| session_alt        = The seat of the legislature is the Kausaakkavtaagikakitat in Paas
| session_alt        =
| meeting_place    = Maavaakitat, Paas, [[Mava]]
| website            = {{plain list|
| website            = {{plain list|
*[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ Nominated Assembly - official website]
*[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ Mava Council - official website]
*[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ Legislative Assembly - official website]}}
| footnotes          =
| footnotes          =
|structure2_res=250px|structure1_res=250px}}
|structure2_res=250px|structure1_res=250px}}
}}
{{Politics of Mava}}
{{Politics of Mava}}
The '''Parliament of the Commonwealth of Mava''' ([[Mavean language|Mavean]]: ''Kausaakkavtaagik''; <small>lit.</small> Lawmakers) is the bicameral legislature of [[Mava]], consisting of the Nominated Assembly (''Okiigokaiqaawnuktaagik'') and the Legislative Assembly (''Kausaakkavakak''). Both chambers meet at the Kausaakkavtaagikakitat in Paas.
'''Mava Council''' ([[Mavean language|Mavean]]: ''Taapiit Maava''; "Council of Mava"), officially the '''Council of the Mava Islands''', is the unicameral legislature of the [[Atitlan|Atitlanese]] unincorporated territory of [[Mava]]. The Council was established in 1929 with limited powers, assuming its present status and responsibilities in 1960.


The current Parliament was established in the 1925 Constitution, replacing the colonial-era Legislative Council. The Council was established by the Atitlanese colonial authorities in 1908 to advise the governor in policymaking. The council did not have the power of veto and had only a consultative role, with no power to even propose legislation. In 1925, upon independence, the Council was replaced with the current Parliament. Between 1925 and 1943, the Parliament was largely subordinate to the personalist regime of Kuraava Tanigak. Following constitutional amendments in 1943, which replaced the presidential system with a parliamentary system, Parliament assumed exclusive control over the legislative power and also took over nominal executive powers.
The Mava Council consists of sixteen elected members, with a select number of non-voting attendants able to sit at the council's pleasure. Attendants do not have speaking or voting rights and sit as observers. The [[List of leaders of Mava|Leader of the Council]] is elected to preside over the Council's sessions and lead an Executive Board that functions as the cabinet.
 
The members of the Legislative Assembly are elected for two years via first-past-the-post. Members represent multi-member constituencies (apart from Taagokiajut, which has a single-member at-large constituency). The 25 members of the Nominated Assembly are appointed by the President-in-Council on the advice of the Joint Committee on Appointments, a body composed of members of both houses. For laws to pass, they must receive the approval of the Legislative Assembly and must be confirmed to be lawful and constitutional by the Nominated Assembly.


==History==
==History==
The Parliament of Mava was created on 1 April 1925 through the Mavean Independence Act, passed by the Atitlanese Congress. The members were carried over from the membership of the Legislative Council, which had served as the appointed advisory body to the colonial governor. Under the interim provisions, Mava was governed by a Transitional Government of the Parliament, appointed by Parliament to govern until elections could be held. The first elections were held on 14 May 1925, with Kuraava Tanigak appointed president by Parliament. The body was made permanent following the passage of the first Mavean constitution in September 1925, with the division of its powers between the newly established Nominated Assembly and Legislative Assembly.
The Mava Council was established in 1929 with limited powers over planning applications, cultural matters, and some law enforcement. It was created at the instigation of the governor, Francisco Jose Valladares, in order to alleviate anger at the continued exclusion of native Maveans. The body was initially appointed by the governor, but became fully elected in 1935.


The 1943 constitution radically increased the powers of parliament, transforming Mava from a presidential to a parliamentary republic. The prime minister, a member of the Legislative Assembly, formally became head of government and answerable to the Legislative Assembly rather than the president. The Legislative Assembly also assumed powers to dismiss governments with the abolition of the assembly-independent system, and its members became the sole initiators of legislation, with the president previously able to propose bills. The Nominated Assembly had its power of veto removed, now only able to recommend amendments and supervise the drafting of laws. It remains responsible for ensuring the legality of any laws passed in the lower house.
In 1960, the Law on the Status of Mava formalised the islands' political status and granted the Council full powers equal to (and in some cases exceeding) those of state congresses. At the same time, the Council assumed the authority of electing a Leader to serve as the island's head of government, and of approving the Executive Board to coordinate government policy.


Under the 1943 constitution, the president of the parliament appointed a "Grand Committee of the Parliament", composed of members of both houses appointed for the purpose of electing the president and approving the nominations of judges and other officials. The body was abolished in 1994; a Parliamentary Convention was created to elect the president, whilst responsibility for approving nominations was transferred to the Legislative Assembly.
==Electoral system==
The sixteen seats in the Mava Council are elected every three years, with eight seats elected at a given time. Councillors are elected by first-past-the-post plurality-at-large voting, with voters allowed to cast as many votes as there are available seats. The candidates with the most votes are elected to fill the vacant seats. Should a seat become vacant between elections, the seat goes to the candidate with the next largest vote share.


==Composition==
If there are fewer candidates than there are available seats, they are declared to have been elected automatically. The unfilled seats remain vacant until a sufficient number of candidates have declared their intention to fill them. At this point, a by-election is held to fill those seats.
Parliament consists of the President; an upper house, the Nominated Assembly; and a lower house, the Legislative Assembly. Each constituent part has its own responsibilities distinct from the other parts, although all three work in conjunction as part of the legislative process. Members of the lower house are called "members of the Legislative Assembly" (''Kausaakkavakakat''; <small>lit.</small> "Lawmaker"), whilst members of the Nominated Assembly are called "Nominated Members" (''Okiigokaiqok'' <small>lit.</small> "Nominee").


No individual may sit in both chambers at the same time.
==Powers and functions==
The council derives its powers principally from the aw on the Status of Mava 1960 and the Organic Statute of Mava 1961 (which serves as the islands' constitution). It as 'general power of competence' over all policy areas under the authority of the local government, i.e. it is permitted to act in any matter whatsoever which does not conflict with or undermine the actions or interests of the [[Atitlan|Atitlanese government]] or other parties. The main responsibilitiy of the council is to provide for "the peace, order and good government of the Mava Islands," and to enact laws for the achievement of this.


===Nominated Assembly===
All bills must be proposed for debate in the Council, although no councillor may propose a bill altering the powers of the Atitlanese government without the Governor's leave. As part of the council's consensus-based decision making, bills are generally debated to achieve consensus, with amendments seeking broad agreement amongst all councillors. The Leader, who normally does not participate in votes, may cast a vote in the event of a tie.
The legislative authority of the Nominated Assembly is subordinate to that of the Legislative Assembly, and it has no power in its own right to restrict or deny the authority of the latter. However, it plays an important role within the legislative process, with all legislation required to be presented to the Nominated Assembly prior to its promulgation by the president.


Nominated Members are appointed by the President-in-Council on the advice of the Joint Committee on Appointments. 25 members are appointed, representing different areas of society and selected for their knowledge and expertise. The Joint Committee on Appointment recommends the following structure of appointments: 5 members from the judiciary; 5 members from the social sector (including the voluntary sector); 5 members from industry and commerce; 5 members from organised labour; 3 members representing culture and the arts; and 2 members representing agriculture and fisheries. Members are appointed for life, although are required to resign at the age of 75. Members are required to sit as independents.
The council has the power to pass two types of legislation: ordinances and regulations. Ordinances are the equivalent of legislative acts and constitute the majority of legislation passed in the council. Under the Law on the Status of Mava and the subsequent Organic Statute of Mava, council ordinances are recognised as having the same authority as federal acts in matters delegated to the local government. Ordinances are officially referred to in law as an "Ordinance under Section 31 of the Organic Statute of Mava" or a "Section 31 Ordinance." Regulations govern the procedures and rules of government bodies (including the council) and have little relevance to the public aside from in their interactions with these bodies.


The primary role of the Nominated Assembly is quasi-judicial. It ensures that legislation approved in the Legislative Assembly complies with the constitution and with existing law. In the majority of cases, this requires only a review of the law by a select panel of members rather than the participation of the whole house. Aside from its power of review, the Nominated Assembly may also recommend amendments to proposed legislation, which is returned to the Legislative Assembly for consideration. The Legislative Assembly is not required to approve, or even debate, amendments proposed in the Nominated Assembly.
Councillors are also responsible for the election of the Executive Board, which serves as the executive branch of the government. The Executive Board is officially a committee of the council and answerable to it. It has the sole authority to appoint or dismiss a member of the Executive Board, usually done at the request of the Leader of the Council.
 
===Legislative Assembly===
The Legislative Assembly is the elected component of the Mavean Parliament, with each member elected by a plurality of voters in each of the country's electoral constituencies. The requirements to run one of the 61 seats in the Legislative Assembly are that they be at least 18 years old, not be completing any criminal sentence, and be elegible to vote in national elections. Members hold their seats until Parliament is dissolved, after which they may seek re-election.
[[File:Debating chamber, Y Senedd - geograph.org.uk - 1375999.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The debating chamber of the Legislative Assembly]]
The Legislative Assembly is the "principal legislative body" and is established as the more powerful of the two parliamentary houses. All legislation is required to be introduced to the Legislative Assembly and be approved by its members. The Legislative Assembly also has exclusive control over money matters, possessing power of the purse and ultimate responsibility for the budget.
 
In addition to its legislative role, the Legislative Assembly is responsible for nominating the prime minister for appointment by the President. The assembly may, by a constructive motion of no confidence, request the president to dismiss the government. However, no such motion has ever been successful. Furthermore, the Legislative Assembly elects members of the Parliamentary Convention, which is tasked with electing the President. The government is officially responsible to the Legislative Assembly and answers to it. Officially the Executive Committee of the Legislative Assembly, the government convenes as a committee of the assembly rather than as an independent body, and derives its powers from the assembly.


==Committees==
==Committees==
Parliament has a number of joint committees that draw membership from both houses. There are currently 11 committees, the majority of which correspond with government departments:
The Council has three committees responsible for scrutinising the government and studying and making recommendations on 'matters of general concern'. These are:
* Joint Committee on Finance and the Economy
* Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs
* Joint Committee on Public Security
* Joint Committee on Public Health, Sport, and Fitness
* Joint Committee on Education, Culture, and Youth
* Joint Committee on the Environment
* Joint Committee on Justice
* Joint Committee on Administration
* Joint Committee on Media and Youth
* Joint Committee on Equality and Integration
* Joint Committee on Fisheries and Employment
 
==Elections==
General elections occur whenever Parliament is dissolved. Dissolutions occur automatically two years from the date of the first meeting of Parliament, although it is common for dissolutions to occur in March, at least six weeks prior to the date of the next election. Elections are usually held in the second week of May (generally a Thursday), following an electoral campaign of no less than 35 days. Candidates are usually nominated by political parties, although a small number of independent candidates have won seats. Candidates are usually elected in local party meetings in the relevant constituency, although the law does not mandate this and several candidates have historically been selected by the national party rather than local members.
 
Candidates are required to file a nomination paper bearing the signatures of at least 50 constituents. Each constituency returns one member of Parliament using the first-past-the-post electoral system, under which the winning candidate needs only the plurality of the vote instead of an outright majority. To stand as and vote for a candidate, one must be a Mavean citizen and at least eighteenth years of age. Additional eligibility requirements are imposed on electoral candidates.
 
Members serve a two year term. Should a member die, resign, or otherwise cease to hold their seat, a by-election is held in the relevant constituency under the same rules and procedures as in general elections. Individuals expelled by Parliament are not permitted to run in the following by-election, although they may be a candidate in the next general election (even if no subsequent by-election is held).
 
===Constituencies===
61 members are returned from multi-member constituencies or single-member constituencies. Each district is divided into a number of seats based on their population, each returning an allocated number of members. The distribution of constituencies is reviewed every ten years by the Mavean Elections Office.
 
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!District !! Seats !! MPs
|-
| Aasqaalet || 2 || 11
|-
| Miilep || 2 || 12
|-
| Paas || 4 || 23
|-
| Pmaak || 3 || 6
|-
| Sigaak || 2 || 4
|-
| Sittiyaa || 1 || 2
|-
| Taagokiajut || 1 || 1
|-
| Outer Islands || 1 || 2
|-
|}
The current set of constituency boundaries came into effect ahead of the May 2015 parliamentary elections. Prior to this, Paas had 6 seats, which were re-allocated to Aasqaalet and Pmaak.
 
===2023 election===
{{Election results
|+ Summary of the 12 May 2022 parliamentary elections results
|-
|image=[[File:Mavean Parliament 2023.png|360px]]
 
|party1=Progressive Party of the Mavean Islands
|votes1=14291
|seats1=39
|sw1=-1.21
|sc1=0
|color1=#4f819d


|party2=Political Congress of the Mavean Labour Movement
* Administrative Committee - responsible for overseeing the administration of the Council, the management of properties, and making recommendations on the incorporation of Atitlanese law.
|votes2=11102
|seats2=15
|sw2=+4.33
|sc2=+1
|color2=#9b1d3a


|party3=Democracy and Renewal
* Technical, Industrial, and Business Committee - responsible for oversight in matters pertaining to electricity and heating, fire and rescue, technical services, planning and development, business and enterprise, and transport.
|votes3=3755
* Civil Society, Culture, and Public Services Committee - responsible for oversight in matters pertaining to the promotion of Mavean culture, encouraging cooperation between ethnic and linguistic groups, public amenities and open spaces, and emergency services.
|seats3=5
* Control Committee - responsible for auditing the government.
|sw3=-1.71
|sc3=+1
|color3=#ffa200


|party4=Mavean People's Party
==Oath of office==
|votes4=1921
Councillors, on their election, are required to make the following oath or affirmation.
|seats4=0
{{blockquote|I, [Name], having been elected to Mava Council, declare that I take that office upon myself, and will duly and faithflly fulfill the duties of it according to the best of my judgement and ability, and according to law.}}
|sw4=-1.24
Failure to do so prevents them from taking their seats and receiving a salary, and are automatically declared "un-elected" sixty days from the first meeting of the Council.
|sc4=-1
|color4=#316b7f
 
|party5=Independents
|votes5=3920
|seats5=2
|sw5=-0.17
|sc5=-2
|color5=#dcdcdc
 
|total_sc=0
 
|valid=31989
|invalid=491
|electorate=51072
|source=Mavean Elections Office
}}


==See also==
==See also==
Line 192: Line 86:


==External links==
==External links==
* [https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ Parliament of Mava]. aawnuhiuakak.mv
* [https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ Mava Council]. maava.mv/an/council


{{Elezia}}
{{Elezia}}
[[Category:Mava]]
[[Category:Mava]]

Latest revision as of 19:25, 21 May 2024

Mava Council

Taapiit Maava
Emblem of Mava.png
Emblem of Mava
Logo of Mava Council.png
Logo of Mava Council
Type
Type
Leadership
Leader of the Council
Kausaanek Malaati
since 22 March 2023
Structure
Seats16
Composition of the Mava Council
Political groups
  Nonpartisan: 16 seats
Elections
Block voting
Last election
11 May 2023
Next election
before 8 May 2025
Meeting place
Maavaakitat, Paas, Mava
Website
Mava
Emblem of Mava.png
This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
Mava
  • Monarch
    • Macuilxochitzin
  • Representative
    • Jose Miguel Artigas
  • Leader of the Council
  • Chief Magistrate
    • Alujut Saujak
  • Recent elections
    • Legislative: 2000
    • 2004
    • 2008

    • 2012
    • 2016
    • 2019
    • 2023
    • Next
    • Referendums: 1996

Mava Council (Mavean: Taapiit Maava; "Council of Mava"), officially the Council of the Mava Islands, is the unicameral legislature of the Atitlanese unincorporated territory of Mava. The Council was established in 1929 with limited powers, assuming its present status and responsibilities in 1960.

The Mava Council consists of sixteen elected members, with a select number of non-voting attendants able to sit at the council's pleasure. Attendants do not have speaking or voting rights and sit as observers. The Leader of the Council is elected to preside over the Council's sessions and lead an Executive Board that functions as the cabinet.

History

The Mava Council was established in 1929 with limited powers over planning applications, cultural matters, and some law enforcement. It was created at the instigation of the governor, Francisco Jose Valladares, in order to alleviate anger at the continued exclusion of native Maveans. The body was initially appointed by the governor, but became fully elected in 1935.

In 1960, the Law on the Status of Mava formalised the islands' political status and granted the Council full powers equal to (and in some cases exceeding) those of state congresses. At the same time, the Council assumed the authority of electing a Leader to serve as the island's head of government, and of approving the Executive Board to coordinate government policy.

Electoral system

The sixteen seats in the Mava Council are elected every three years, with eight seats elected at a given time. Councillors are elected by first-past-the-post plurality-at-large voting, with voters allowed to cast as many votes as there are available seats. The candidates with the most votes are elected to fill the vacant seats. Should a seat become vacant between elections, the seat goes to the candidate with the next largest vote share.

If there are fewer candidates than there are available seats, they are declared to have been elected automatically. The unfilled seats remain vacant until a sufficient number of candidates have declared their intention to fill them. At this point, a by-election is held to fill those seats.

Powers and functions

The council derives its powers principally from the aw on the Status of Mava 1960 and the Organic Statute of Mava 1961 (which serves as the islands' constitution). It as 'general power of competence' over all policy areas under the authority of the local government, i.e. it is permitted to act in any matter whatsoever which does not conflict with or undermine the actions or interests of the Atitlanese government or other parties. The main responsibilitiy of the council is to provide for "the peace, order and good government of the Mava Islands," and to enact laws for the achievement of this.

All bills must be proposed for debate in the Council, although no councillor may propose a bill altering the powers of the Atitlanese government without the Governor's leave. As part of the council's consensus-based decision making, bills are generally debated to achieve consensus, with amendments seeking broad agreement amongst all councillors. The Leader, who normally does not participate in votes, may cast a vote in the event of a tie.

The council has the power to pass two types of legislation: ordinances and regulations. Ordinances are the equivalent of legislative acts and constitute the majority of legislation passed in the council. Under the Law on the Status of Mava and the subsequent Organic Statute of Mava, council ordinances are recognised as having the same authority as federal acts in matters delegated to the local government. Ordinances are officially referred to in law as an "Ordinance under Section 31 of the Organic Statute of Mava" or a "Section 31 Ordinance." Regulations govern the procedures and rules of government bodies (including the council) and have little relevance to the public aside from in their interactions with these bodies.

Councillors are also responsible for the election of the Executive Board, which serves as the executive branch of the government. The Executive Board is officially a committee of the council and answerable to it. It has the sole authority to appoint or dismiss a member of the Executive Board, usually done at the request of the Leader of the Council.

Committees

The Council has three committees responsible for scrutinising the government and studying and making recommendations on 'matters of general concern'. These are:

  • Administrative Committee - responsible for overseeing the administration of the Council, the management of properties, and making recommendations on the incorporation of Atitlanese law.
  • Technical, Industrial, and Business Committee - responsible for oversight in matters pertaining to electricity and heating, fire and rescue, technical services, planning and development, business and enterprise, and transport.
  • Civil Society, Culture, and Public Services Committee - responsible for oversight in matters pertaining to the promotion of Mavean culture, encouraging cooperation between ethnic and linguistic groups, public amenities and open spaces, and emergency services.
  • Control Committee - responsible for auditing the government.

Oath of office

Councillors, on their election, are required to make the following oath or affirmation.

I, [Name], having been elected to Mava Council, declare that I take that office upon myself, and will duly and faithflly fulfill the duties of it according to the best of my judgement and ability, and according to law.

Failure to do so prevents them from taking their seats and receiving a salary, and are automatically declared "un-elected" sixty days from the first meeting of the Council.

See also

Notes

External links

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