Mava Council: Difference between revisions
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| name = Mava Council | | name = Mava Council | ||
| native_name = {{nobold|Maava | | native_name = {{nobold|Taapiit Maava}} | ||
| legislature = | | legislature = | ||
| coa_pic = File: | | coa_pic = [[File:Emblem of Mava.png|125px]] | ||
| coa_res = | | coa_res = 125px | ||
| coa_alt = | | coa_alt = Emblem of Mava | ||
| coa_caption = [[Flag and | | coa_caption = [[Flag and emblem of Mava|Emblem of Mava]] | ||
| logo_pic = File:Logo of Mava Council.png | | logo_pic = [[File:Logo of Mava Council.png|200px]] | ||
| logo_res = | | logo_res = 200px | ||
| logo_alt = Mava Council | | logo_alt = Logo of Mava Council | ||
| logo_caption = Mava Council | | logo_caption = Logo of Mava Council | ||
| house_type = Unicameral | | house_type = Unicameral | ||
| leader3_type = Leader of the Council | | leader3_type = Leader of the Council | ||
| leader3 = [[Kausaanek Malaati]] | | leader3 = [[Kausaanek Malaati]] | ||
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| structure1_alt = Composition of the Mava Council | | structure1_alt = Composition of the Mava Council | ||
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{{Politics of Mava}} | {{Politics of Mava}} | ||
'''Mava Council''' ([[Mavean language|Mavean]]: ''Maava | '''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 Mava Council consists of sixteen elected members, | 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. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
The Mava Council was established in | 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 | 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== | ==Electoral system== | ||
The sixteen seats in the Mava Council are elected every | 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. | 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== | ==Powers and functions== | ||
The council derives its powers principally from the Mava Statute of | 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. | ||
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 | 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 Mava | 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 | 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== | ==Committees== | ||
The Council has three committees responsible for 'matters of general concern' | The Council has three committees responsible for scrutinising the government and studying and making recommendations on 'matters of general concern'. These are: | ||
* Committee | |||
* Committee | * Administrative Committee - responsible for overseeing the administration of the Council, the management of properties, and making recommendations on the incorporation of Atitlanese law. | ||
* Committee on | |||
* 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. | |||
{{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.}} | |||
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== | ==See also== | ||
Latest revision as of 19:25, 21 May 2024
Mava Council Taapiit Maava | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Logo of Mava Council | |
| Type | |
| Type | |
| Leadership | |
Leader of the Council | Kausaanek Malaati since 22 March 2023 |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 16 |
 | |
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 | |
|
|---|
| This article is part of a series on the politics and government of Mava |
|
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
- Politics of Mava
- Culture of Mava
Notes
External links
- Mava Council. maava.mv/an/council
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