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{{Infobox legislature
{{Infobox legislature
|background_color    =  
|background_color    =  
| name              = Assembly of the Islands
| name              = Mava Council
| native_name        = {{nobold|Tokukuaawnuktaagik}}
| native_name        = {{nobold|Taapiit Maava}}
| legislature        = 50th Assembly
| legislature        =  
| coa_pic            = [[File:Coat of Arms of the Assembly of the Islands.png|100px]]
| coa_pic            = [[File:Emblem of Mava.png|125px]]
| coa_res            = 125px
| coa_alt            = Emblem of Mava
| coa_caption        = [[Flag and emblem of Mava|Emblem of Mava]]
| logo_pic          = [[File:Logo of Mava Council.png|200px]]
| logo_res          = 200px
| logo_alt          = Logo of Mava Council
| logo_caption      = Logo of Mava Council
| house_type        = Unicameral
| house_type        = Unicameral
| leader1_type       = President
| leader3_type       = Leader of the Council
| leader1           = Aamikat Uuyukluq
| leader3           = [[Kausaanek Malaati]]
| party1             = Anuvik
| party3             =  
| election1         = 22 May 2023
| election3         = 22 March 2023
| leader2_type      = Vice President
| members            = 16
| leader2            = Vauta Laumaasi
| party2            = Kiikalakki
| election2          = 22 May 2023
| members            = 61


| structure1        = File:Mavean_Parliament_2023.png
| structure1        = File:Mava Council composition.png
| structure1_res    = 250px
| structure1_res    = 250px
| structure1_alt    = Structure of the House of Representatives
| structure1_alt    = Composition of the Mava Council
| political_groups1  = '''Government (39)'''
| political_groups1  = {{legend|#808080|Nonpartisan: 16 seats}}
*{{nowrap|{{Color box|#4f819d|border=silver}} Anuvik (39)}}
'''Opposition (22)'''
*{{nowrap|{{Color box|#9b1d3a|border=silver}} Kiikalakki (15)}}
*{{nowrap|{{Color box|#ffa200|border=silver}} Yaavki (5)}}
*{{nowrap|{{Color box|#dcdcdc|border=silver}} Independent (2)}}
 
| 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    = Kausaakkavtaagikakitat<br/>Paas, North Mava, Mava<br/>
| meeting_place    = Maavaakitat, Paas, [[Mava]]
| website            = {{plain list|
| website            = {{plain list|
*[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ Assembly of the Islands - official website]
*[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ Mava Council - official website]
| footnotes          =
| footnotes          =
|structure2_res=250px|structure1_res=250px}}
|structure2_res=250px|structure1_res=250px}}
}}
}}
{{Politics of Mava}}
{{Politics of Mava}}
The '''Assembly of the Islands''' ([[Mavean language|Mavean]]: ''Tokukuaawnuktaagik'') is the unicameral legislature of the [[Mava|Republic of Mava]], serving as the confederal legislative branch responsible for passing laws applied across all jurisdictions.
'''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 Assembly was established in the 1925 Constitution, replacing the colonial-era Legislative Council that had been founded in 1908 to advise the governor. Ahead of independence, the leaders of Mava's four distinct peoples signed the Paas Agreement, which recognised the sovereignty of these groups and affirmed the creation of a confederal system on independence. The Assembly of the Islands was created as the supreme legislative branch of the confederation, with carefully defined power to make laws that are binding on all jurisdictions. It also elects the Government Council, which constitutes the executive branch of the confederation.
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 that functions as the cabinet.
 
Members are elected for two years via bloc voting. Members represent multi-member constituencies and are required to represent these constituencies rather than their home jurisdiction.


==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 to coordinate government policy.


Under the 1943 constitution, the president of the parliament appointed a "Grand Committee of the National 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; an Electoral College was created to elect the president, whilst responsibility for approving nominations was transferred to the House of Representatives.
==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 House of Elders; and a lower house, the House of Representatives. 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" (''Paaqok'' <small>lit.</small> "Senior").


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.


===House of Elders===
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 House of Elders is subordinate to that of the House of Representatives, 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.


Elders are appointed by the President-in-Council based on their being distinguished individuals in their respective field. 25 members are appointed, representing different areas of society and selected for their knowledge and expertise. The following structure of appointments is followed, although there is no legal basis for it: 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 and 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 House of Elders is quasi-judicial. It ensures that legislation approved in the House of Representatives complies with the constitution and with existing law - formally described as "in keeping with the spirit of the 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 House of Elders may also recommend amendments to proposed legislation, which is returned to the House of Representatives for consideration. The House of Representatives is not required to approve, or even debate, amendments proposed in the House of Elders, although the regard of the upper house usually requires a debate.
Councillors are also responsible for the election of the Mava Council Executive, which serves as the executive branch of the government. The Executive 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, usually done at the request of the Leader of the Council.
 
===House of Representatives===
The House of Representatives 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 House of Representatives 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.
 
The House of Representatives 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 House of Representatives and be approved by its members. The House of Representatives 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 House of Representatives is responsible for nominating the prime minister for appointment by the President. The house 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 House of Representatives constitutes part of the membership of the Electoral College, alongside the House of Elders, which is tasked with electing the President. The government is officially responsible to the House of Representatives and answers to it.


==Committees==
==Committees==
The Assembly 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 'matters of general concern', i.e. matters not covered by a Executive portfolio but is nonetheless under the authority of the Council. These are:
* Committee on Finance and the Economy
* Committee on the Application of Law - makes recommendations on whether applicable Atitlanese laws should be extended to Mava.
* Committee on Foreign Affairs
* Committee on Privileges - investigates concerns relating to the privileges and benefits extended to councillors.
* Committee on Public Security
* Committee on Administration - reviews rules relating to the administration of the Council.
* Committee on Public Health, Sport, and Fitness
* Committee on Education, Culture, and Youth
* Committee on the Environment
* Committee on Justice
* Committee on Administration
* Committee on Media and Youth
* Committee on Equality and Integration
* Committee on Fisheries and Employment
 
==Elections==
General elections occur whenever the assembly is dissolved. Dissolutions occur automatically two years from the date of the first meeting, 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 generally nominated by political parties, although a small number of independent candidates have won seats.
 
Candidates are required to file a nomination paper bearing the signatures of at least 50 constituents. Each constituency returns two or more members of Parliament using the block voting electoral system, in which voters may cast as many votes as there are available seats, with a simple plurality required. 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 the Assembly 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. Each district is divided into a number of constituencies 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, with a requirement that each seat represents between 750 and 1,250 people.
 
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!District !! Seats !! MPs
|-
| Aasqaalet || 3 || 11
|-
| Miilep || 2 || 5
|-
| Paas || 8 || 21
|-
| Pmaak || 4 || 9
|-
| Kungaatiibisa || 1 || 2
|-
| Taagokiajut || 1 || 3
|-
| Sigaak || 2 || 5
|-
| Saayup || 1 || 3
|-
| Taak || 1 || 2
|-
|}
The current set of constituency boundaries came into effect ahead of the May 2015 parliamentary elections. Prior to this, Paas had 25 seats, which were re-allocated to Aasqaalet and Pmaak.


===2023 election===
==Oath of office==
{{Election results
Councillors, on their election, are required to make the following oath or affirmation.
|+ Summary of the 12 May 2022 parliamentary elections results
{{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.
|image=[[File:Mavean Parliament 2023.png|360px]]
 
|party1=Anuvik
|votes1=14291
|seats1=39
|sw1=-1.21
|sc1=0
|color1=#4f819d
 
|party2=Kiikalakki
|votes2=11102
|seats2=15
|sw2=+4.33
|sc2=+1
|color2=#9b1d3a
 
|party3=Yaavki
|votes3=3755
|seats3=5
|sw3=-1.71
|sc3=+1
|color3=#ffa200
 
|party4=Maava Naigaalu
|votes4=1921
|seats4=0
|sw4=-1.24
|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 181: Line 83:


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


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

Revision as of 12:06, 6 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 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 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 Mava Council Executive, which serves as the executive branch of the government. The Executive 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, usually done at the request of the Leader of the Council.

Committees

The Council has three committees responsible for 'matters of general concern', i.e. matters not covered by a Executive 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

Notes

External links

Retrieved from "https://iiwiki.us/mediawiki/index.php?title=Mava_Council&oldid=799330"