Executive Council
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Executive Council | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | |
| Type | Highest governmental body of the Union of Zomia |
| Leadership | |
Prince President | |
Prime Minister | |
| Seats | 10 (One for each princely state, and one for the special representative of the Kiau State) |
| Meeting place | |
 | |
| Tsaagdu Palace Cireram | |
The Executive Council is the highest constitutional authority in the Union of Zomia, and the country's de facto unicameral legislature, though this status is officially vested in the Union Assembly. Each ruling Sah of the nine princely states has a hereditary seat on the Council, and a single vote in the elections of the Prince-President and the Prime Minister, who are chosen from among the Council's members every five years. Though every Sah is constitutionally eligible, in practice the Sah of Cireram has been appointed Prince President in every Council election, and the Sah of Hànua has always been appointed Prime Minister. A Special Representative for the semi-autonomous Kiau State possesses a nominal tenth seat, in line with concessions made to the All-Kiau Free Army during the Trucial Wars to secure an alliance with the formerly separatist group. The Special Representative is reelected every year, however, and is not eligible to run for high office.
The Executive Council establishes federal policies and sanctions state legislation made by individual Sahi. It meets five times each year, though meetings are often on an informal basis and can be attended by representatives, often family members, acting in their Sah's stead. Each attendee has one vote in the Council's resolutions. The appointment of judges to the Supreme Court by the Prince President must be approved by the Council, and the Prince President has the power to call a vote of approval on any ministerial appointment to the State Boards of the princely states.