Constitution of Bahrain

Bahrain's current constitution was ratified on 14 February 2002 and promulgated by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, superseding the 1973 constitution and reconstituting Bahrain as a unitary semi-constitutional monarchy rather than an emirate, with executive, legislative and judicial branches. It establishes a bicameral National Assembly of a 40-member elected Chamber of Deputies and a 40-member appointed Shura Council, vesting legislative authority in the King and National Assembly jointly, with all legislation requiring approval from both chambers plus royal ratification, while the King holds executive power alongside a Cabinet of Ministers he appoints directly. The 2002 document departed from King Hamad's 2001 public commitment that only the elected lower house would hold legislative power, a reversal that prompted several political societies to boycott subsequent parliamentary elections.