Electoral system family

Constitution, 1959-09-29(revised 2011)

​Article 24: (1) The Legislative Council shall consist of not more than 45 Members as follows —

(a) up to 30 persons who shall be appointed by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan from the following categories —

(i) ex-officio Members who comprise the Prime Minister and all the Ministers appointed under Article 4(3) of this Constitution;

(ii) titled persons;

(iii) persons who, in His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan’s opinion, have rendered distinguished public service or who are not within sub-paragraph (a)(iv) but who, in his opinion, will be capable of contributing to the deliberations of the Legislative Council;

(iv) persons who, in His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan’s opinion, have achieved distinction in the field of religion, management, any profession, business, trade, agriculture, cultural arts or community activities, or who are representatives of particular communities; and

(b) up to 15 representatives, the exact number of which shall be determined by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan, from Brunei and Muara District, Belait District, Tutong District and Temburong District who shall be elected in accordance with the laws relating to elections in force in Brunei Darussalam.

(2) The Members of the Legislative Council who are appointed in accordance with sub-paragraph (a) of paragraph 1 shall be appointed by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan by Instrument under the State Seal.

The Legislative Council met on 25 September 2004 for first time in 20 years with 21 members appointed by the Sultan; it passed constitutional amendments calling for a 45-seat council with 15 elected members; no time frame for an election was announced.