Congress of Mava: Difference between revisions
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'''Mava Council''' ([[Mavean language|Mavean]]: ''Maava Taapiit''; "Council of Mava") is the unicameral legislature of the [[Atitlan|Atitlanese]] unincorporated | '''Mava Council''' ([[Mavean language|Mavean]]: ''Maava Taapiit''; "Council of Mava") 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, plus a number of non-voting attendants appointed by the Chairman with the council's approval. Attendants do not have speaking or voting rights and sit as observers. The [[Leader of Mava Council|Leader of the Council]] is elected to lead a cabinet of councillors that functions as the executive branch. | The Mava Council consists of sixteen elected members, plus a number of non-voting attendants appointed by the Chairman with the council's approval. Attendants do not have speaking or voting rights and sit as observers. The [[Leader of Mava Council|Leader of the Council]] is elected to lead a cabinet of councillors that functions as the executive branch. | ||
==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 a cabinet 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 chairman, who normally does not participate in law making, may cast a vote in the event of a tie. | 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 chairman, who normally does not participate in law making, 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 Mava Council Cabinet, which serves as the executive branch of the government. The cabinet is officially a committee of the council and answerable to it. It has the sole authority | Councillors are also responsible for the election of the Mava Council Cabinet, which serves as the executive branch of the government. The cabinet is officially a committee of the council and answerable to it. It has the sole authority to appoint or dismiss a member of the cabinet, usually done at the request of the Leader of the Council as chairman of the cabinet. | ||
==Committees== | ==Committees== | ||
| Line 79: | Line 79: | ||
==Oath of office== | ==Oath of office== | ||
Councillors, on their election, are required to make the following oath or affirmation. | Councillors, on their election, are required to make the following oath or affirmation. | ||
{{blockquote|I, [Name], having been elected to | {{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. | 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. | ||
Revision as of 19:02, 23 February 2024
Mava Council Maava Taapiit | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Mava Council logo | |
| Type | |
| Type | |
| Leadership | |
Administrator of Mava | Asamak Umaakasarmuk since 19 August 2021 |
Chairman of the Council | Taarjut Niunak since 22 May 2023 |
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: Maava Taapiit; "Council of Mava") 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, plus a number of non-voting attendants appointed by the Chairman with the council's approval. Attendants do not have speaking or voting rights and sit as observers. The Leader of the Council is elected to lead a cabinet of councillors that functions as the executive branch.
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 a cabinet 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 chairman, who normally does not participate in law making, 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 Mava Council Cabinet, which serves as the executive branch of the government. The cabinet is officially a committee of the council and answerable to it. It has the sole authority to appoint or dismiss a member of the cabinet, usually done at the request of the Leader of the Council as chairman of the cabinet.
Committees
The Council has three committees responsible for 'matters of general concern', i.e. matters not covered by a cabinet portfolio but is nonetheless under the authority of the Council. These are:
- Committee on the Application of Law - makes recommendations on whether applicable Atitlanese laws should be extended to Mava.
- Committee on Privileges - investigates concerns relating to the privileges and benefits extended to councillors.
- Committee on Administration - reviews rules relating to the administration of the Council.
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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