Arabic
Issued by Ministry of Municipalities and Housing: Decision 1/4600825389
Article 1
Definitions
The following terms and phrases, wherever they appear in this regulation, have the meanings assigned to each of them, unless the context requires otherwise:
1․ Ministry:
The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing.
2․ Minister:
The Minister of Municipalities and Housing.
3․ Law:
The Law of Municipalities and Villages.
4․ Secretary/mayor:
The holder of the authority whose scope of supervision includes the guild of craftsmen and vocation practitioners.
5․ Secretariat/municipality:
An agency with a legal personality with financial and administrative independence that exercises the functions entrusted to it under the laws and regulations.
6․ Craft or vocation:
Skilled work that requires expertise and skill, practiced by a craftsman or vocation practitioner after a sufficient period of training, education, and gaining experience.
7․ Members of crafts and professions:
All craftsmen or vocation practitioners (practitioners) of a single activity, or brokers, agents, or merchants who own shops, at their various skill levels, licensed by the secretariats/municipalities.
8․ President of craft and vocation:
A natural person who is elected to preside over the members of the craft or vocation and take care of their interests.
9․ Deputy president of craft and vocation:
A natural person who is elected to conduct the work of the president of the craft or vocation in accordance with the provisions contained in this regulation.
10․ Nomination approval:
A document issued by the ministry that allows the president of the craft or vocation or his deputy to exercise the functions of the presidency for a specified period of time.
11․ Headquarters:
The permanent address of the president of the craft or vocation or his deputy to perform his tasks.
12․ Relevant entities:
All entities that have a relationship with the work of the craft and vocation.
13․ Supervisory committee:
The committee that supervises the elections of presidents of crafts and vocations and their deputies.
14․ Contestation examination committee:
The committee competent to consider the objections of candidates to the procedures or results of the elections.
15․ Guild:
A group of craftsmen or vocation practitioners who are practitioners, brokers, or shop owners.
Article 2
1․ The ministry shall approve and cancel the nomination of presidents of crafts and vocations and their deputies.
2․ The secretariat/municipality has the mandate to oversee and implement the articles and instructions of this regulation.
Article 3
Determining the Names of Guilds
1․ The secretariat/municipality shall determine the names of the guilds after their approval by the ministry periodically in accordance with the availability of the crafts and vocations of the guild within its scope.
2․ The secretariat/municipality shall publish the names of the guilds on its website.
Article 4
Conditions of the Candidate
First
A candidate must meet the following conditions:
1․ That he/she is a Saudi.
2․ That he is not currently an active government officer.
3․ That he is a resident of the city in which the activity is practiced and resides there permanently.
4․ That he has not been previously convicted of a crime against honour or trust unless he has been rehabilitated, provided that he submits a statement to that effect.
5․ That he is an actual practitioner of the craft or vocation nominated for its presidency for a period of not less than five years for the activity/activities described in the commercial activity license in accordance with the National Directory of Economic Activities, provided that he submits a statement to that effect.
6․ That the deputy is an actual practitioner of the activity for a period of not less than two years for the activity/activities described in the commercial activity license in accordance with the National Directory of Economic Activities, provided that he submits a statement to that effect.
7․ That he is able to perform the duties of the vocation or craft.
8․ That he holds a secondary school diploma or its equivalent, as a minimum.
9․ That the age is not less than 30 years and not more than 65 Gregorian years.
10․ That a headquarters is provided for the management of the affairs of crafts and vocations, to carry out the work of the president, as well as determining his working hours.
11․ That he submits an electoral program for the governance and development of the craft and vocation, provided that he complies with its implementation after its approval by the secretariat/municipality.
Second
The secretary/mayor may exempt some candidates from the age and qualification requirement by a reasoned decision.
Article 5
Election and Nomination Mechanism
1․ The secretary shall approve the opening of elections and the nomination of presidents of crafts and vocations and their deputies for the guilds approved in the secretariat/municipality, and shall announce them in the appropriate means, such as local newspapers, markets, the website of the secretariat/municipality, and others.
2․ The supervisory committee shall announce the candidacy, receive applications, verify the eligibility of the candidate and the fulfilment of all the requirements of the candidates for the presidency of the craft and vocation or his deputy, and exclude those who do not meet the conditions.
3․ The nomination period is 15 days, and it may be extended by a decision of the supervisory committee if there are compelling reasons for that.
4․ The method of nomination must be individual and it is not permitted for candidates to agree on electoral lists.
5․ The candidates must be introduced through the secretariat/municipality and under the supervision of the supervisory committee by following the appropriate professional means that are fair to the candidates to reach the voters in a unified manner during the period specified in the election timetable.
6․ The supervisory committee shall publish a list of the names of all candidates, their data, and their biographies on the website of the secretariat/municipality so that voters can view them.
7․ The supervisory committee shall sort and count the votes and approve the winner by a majority of votes. If they are equal, the highest qualified takes precedence, and if this is equal, a draw must be held between them.
8․ If only one candidate comes forward for the position of president or deputy, the election procedures cease, and he must be considered a winner by acclamation.
9․ The names of candidates for the presidents of crafts and vocations and their deputies must be submitted to the ministry for approval.
10․ The secretary/mayor or whoever he authorizes shall approve the minutes and decisions of the supervisory committee and the contestation examination committee.
11․ It is not permitted to repeat the elections except with the approval of the minister and based on the existence of reasons requiring this.
Article 6
Voting Mechanism
1․ Voting must be done through ballot boxes, and it is permitted to use modern technology in the election process as an aid, as determined by the supervisory committee.
2․ The supervisory committee of the secretariat/municipality shall determine the date and place of the voting as decided by it, provided that its date is sufficiently in advance of the date of the end of the term of the presidency (president/deputy president).
3․ A voter has one vote, and in the event that more than one candidate is selected, the vote must be cancelled.
Article 7
Nomination Prohibitions
A candidate is prohibited from doing the following:
1․ Disturbing public order, stirring up discord or any sectarian, tribal, or regional conflict, offending any of the voters or candidates, or violating the relevant laws and instructions.
2․ Using mosques, public facilities, government facilities, educational institutions, charitable associations, sports or cultural clubs, public bodies, public benefit associations, and other public bodies, entities, and institutions and their equivalent for the purposes of the election campaign.
3․ Using government or private television channels from inside or outside the Kingdom.
Article 8
End of Presidency of the President or His Deputy
The presidency of the president or his deputy ends in the following cases:
1․ Medical incapacity and inability to perform duties or death. The secretariat/municipality shall assign the conduct of affairs and duties to the deputy president until a new president for the crafts and vocations is approved.
2․ Medical incapacity and inability of the deputy president to perform duties or death. The secretariat/municipality shall appoint a new deputy president for crafts and vocations.
3․ Submission of resignation, provided that the notification is made within a period of not less than three months from the date of its submission.
4․ When a judicial ruling is issued for conviction in any of the cases that violate honor or trust.
Article 9
Duration of the Term of the Presidency of the President or His Deputy
1․ Four years from the date of approval of the candidate (president/deputy).
2․ The competent secretariat may contact the ministry to extend the term of the presidency for a period of one year, in accordance with the level of performance of the president of the craft and vocation in the performance of his work.
3․ The president of the craft and profession and his deputy may run for successive periods if he meets the conditions for nomination.
Article 10
Mandates of Presidents of Crafts and Vocations or Their Deputies
1․ Representing members of crafts and vocations before all official entities.
2․ Addressing and resolving problems or disputes that may arise between members of crafts and vocations among themselves or with those they deal with.
3․ Field supervision of the practices of members of crafts and vocations in terms of their compliance with the texts regulating the affairs of the craft or vocation.
4․ Deciding on technical problems based on his craft or vocation experience.
5․ Supporting municipalities and relevant entities in controlling markets and dealing with members of crafts and vocations.
6․ Assisting (supporting) members of crafts and vocations and all those affiliated with them in the issuance of licenses.
7․ Organised registration of databases and their continuous updating in order to meet the documentation requirements for the affairs of the craft or vocation and its dealings.
8․ Qualifying and developing members of crafts and vocations in modern methods of practicing the craft or vocation, through specialized training programs and courses.
9․ Directing members of crafts and vocations to the available sources of government and private support, as well as of financing and investment entities, to expand their business.
10․ Informing members of crafts and vocations to adhere to the ethics and morals of the craft or vocation, and to comply with all relevant laws and regulations in force in the Kingdom.
11․ Addressing the competent secretariat/municipality of the violating members of the vocation or craft in order to take the necessary measures against them.
12․ Submitting a quarterly report to the competent secretariat or municipality, and the reports must include the pros and cons and the required support.
13․ Informing the secretariat/municipality and the competent entities of the illegal cases of sale related to the vocation and the craft that take place within the markets and informing the secretariat/municipality and the competent entities of the caught cases.
14․ Providing advice, opinion, and technical support in the field of competence of the craft or vocation to any of the concerned government entities if requested.
15․ The president of crafts and vocations may delegate some of his powers to his deputy, and this must be in accordance with a document approved by the competent secretariat/municipality.
Article 11
Election Supervisory Committee
1․ The election supervisory committee must be formed by a decision by the secretary, consisting of three or more members, in addition to a member from the relevant entities and the entity supervising the activity. Its decisions must be issued by majority and must be reasoned. The secretary shall issue the work rules of the committee.
2․ The members of the committee must be competent and experienced in the field of the work of the committee, and its chairmanship must be from representatives of the municipal agency.
3․ The committee is legally affiliated with the secretary/mayor or whoever he authorizes, and the chairman of the committee has the right—if the need arises—to form a support working team—under his supervision—not exceeding three officers.
4․ None of the members of the committee shall participate in supervising or attending the sessions of the committee if he has a kinship with the candidate, and he shall disclose in the event of a conflict of interest.
5․ Minutes must be drawn up for each meeting, including the names and signatures of the participating members and the measures and decisions taken.
6․ The chairman of the committee shall manage the work of the session, and the decisions must be signed by all participating members and approved by the secretary/mayor or whoever he authorizes.
7․ The committee shall keep copies of the decisions, minutes, and everything related to its work for easy access when needed.
8․ The committee has the right to request or view any document it deems important to complete its work.
9․ The committee has the right to submit to the secretary/mayor or whoever he authorizes and take the necessary measures to refer to the competent entities in the event that it is proven that incorrect or forged data has been submitted.
Article 12
Committee for Deciding on Electoral Contestations and Violations
1․ The committee for examining electoral contestations and violations must be formed by a decision by the secretary, provided that it consists of not less than three of those with competence and expertise. Its chairman must be a legal or Sharia specialist. Its decisions must be issued by majority, and its decisions must be reasoned. The secretary shall issue its work rules.
2․ The committee shall receive complaints and decide on contestations by considering the objections of candidates to the procedures or results of the elections and decide on the objections.
3․ Each candidate may contest the final election results before the contestation examination committee by submitting a written objection request within a maximum period of five working days from the date of announcing the results.
4․ The contestation committee shall consider and decide on contestations within 30 working days from the date of receipt of the application.
5․ The committee is legally affiliated with the secretary/mayor or whoever he authorizes, and the chairman of the committee has the right—if the need arises—to form a support working team not exceeding three employees under the supervision and oversight of the chairman.
6․ None of the members of the committee shall participate in the consideration of the contestation or attend its sessions if he has an interest or a kinship with the candidate to the fourth degree.
7․ The committee shall verify the contestation applications submitted by any of the recognised means of proof, consider the validity of the contestation, and ensure the integrity of the procedures or results of the elections, and it has the right to return the applications to their source in the event of a significant lack of data.
8․ The chairman of the committee shall manage the work of the session and take the signatures of the participating members. If a member adopts a different point of view, it must be attached to the decision and approved by the secretary/mayor or whoever he authorizes.
9․ The committee shall keep copies of the necessary decisions, minutes, and documents for reference when needed.
10․ The committee has the right to request or view any document the committee deems important to complete its work.
11․ The committee may address any other party and request a report on any documents, information, or data related to the application presented before it, and summon whoever it deems necessary to complete its work.
12․ The committee has the right to submit to the secretary/mayor or whoever he authorizes to contact the competent entities in the event that it is proven that incorrect or forged data has been submitted.
13․ The applicant must be informed of the decision of the committee after it is issued and approved by the secretary/mayor or whoever he authorises.
14․ The applicant may file a grievance before the administrative courts within 60 days from the date of being notified of the decision.
Article 13
General Provisions
1․ This regulation comes into force after the lapse of 90 days from the date of its publication in the official gazette.
2․ This regulation repeals all relevant decisions and instructions in conflict with it.
Published in Umm Al-Qura 5096 issued on 11 July 2025.