CHAPTER NINE#

The National Shengo#

Article o#

The National Shengo is the supreme organ of state power in the People’s Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

Article 63#

The National Shengo of the People’s Democratic Republic of Ethiopia has the power to decide on any national issue. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the National Shengo shall have the following powers and duties:

a. Enact, amend and supervise the observance of the Constitution and Proclamations;

b. Determine the domestic and foreign policy;

c. Determine the defense and security policy;

d. Determine the state of peace and war;

e. Adopt the long-term and short-term social and economic plans;

f. Adopt the annual budget;

g. Determine the monetary and fiscal policy of the People’s Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

a. Establish administrative and autonomous regions and determine their boundary level of hierarchy, and accountability;

b. Enact proclamations by which they are administered;

c. Determine their sources of revenue.

  1. Establish

    a. The Council of State;

    b. The Council of Ministers, ministries, state committees, commissions and authorities;

    c. The Supreme Court;

    d. The Office of the Procurator General;

    e. The National Workers’ Control Committee; and

    f. The Office of the Auditor General of the People’s Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

  2. Elect

    a. The President;

    b. The Vice President;

    c. The Vice Presidents of the Council of State, the Secretary and members thereof;

    d. Upon presentation in accordance with Article 86 sub-article 1(b), the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Ministers and other members of the Council of Ministers;

    e. Upon presentation in accordance with Article 86 sub-article 1(d), the President, Vice Presidents and Judges of the Supreme Court, the Procurator General, the Chairman of the National Workers’ Control Committee, and the Auditor General of the People’s Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

  3. Cause referenda to be conducted on major national issues when it deems it necessary.

  4. Ascertain the validity of the election of its members.

Article 64#

Candidates to the National Shengo shall be nominated by organs of the Workers’ Party of Ethiopia, mass organizations, military units and other bodies so entitled by law.

Article 65#

  1. The election of members of the National Shengo shall be universal, equal, direct and by secret ballot.

  2. The election of members of the National Shengo shall be based on the size of population.

  3. The representation of nationalities in the National Shengo shall be ensured in the electoral process.

Article 66#

The electorate has the right to recall a member of the National Shengo in whom it has lost confidence.

Article 67#

The National Shengo shall hold one regular session per year. Extraordinary sessions may be called by decision of the Council of State, or by that of the President of the Republic, or when one third of the members so request.

Article 68#

  1. The term of the National Shengo shall be five years.

  2. General elections for a new Shengo shall be held two months prior to the expiry of the term of the Shengo. Upon the expiry of the term of the outgoing Shengo, the incumbent Council of State shall convene the new Shengo.

  3. As soon as the new Shengo is convened, its first task shall be to elect the members of the organs of state stipulated in Article 63 sub-article 4 of this Constitution.

  4. The incumbent Council of State and President shall remain in office until the newly elected Shengo convenes and elects a Council of State and President of the Republic.

Article 69#

In the event of war or other emergency the National Shengo may prolong its term until such time as the emergency is terminated.

Article 70#

The National Shengo shall establish standing and ad hoc commissions necessary for its activities.

Article 71#

The Council of State, the President of the Republic, commissions of the National Shengo, members of the National Shengo, the Council of Ministers, the Supreme Court, the Procurator General, shengos of higher administrative and autonomous regions, and mass organizations through their national organs have the right to initiate legislation.

Article 72#

  1. Two-thirds of the members of the National Shengo shall constitute a quorum.

  2. Any bill or decision of the Shengo shall be deemed adopted when passed by a simple majority of the members present. This is without prejudice to Article 119 of this Constitution.

Article 73#

The National Shengo shall hold its sessions in public unless it decides to meet in camera.

Article 74#

Members of the National Shengo are plenipotentiary representatives of the working people.

Article 75#

  1. No people’s deputy shall be arrested or prosecuted without the permission of the National Shengo or, between sessions, without that of the Council of State, except when caught in flagrante delicto for a serious offense.

  2. No people’s deputy may be questioned or prosecuted for opinions expressed at sessions of the Shengo and its organs.

Article 76#

  1. People’s deputies shall follow up on the implementation of laws passed and decisions made by state organs.

  2. People’s deputies have the right to address questions to state organs, mass organizations and other institutions, and these are obliged to provide appropriate replies.

Article 77#

People’s deputies shall keep their regular job. Conditions that must be fulfilled to enable them to perform their duties as deputies shall be determin ed by law.

Article 78#

  1. Each people’s deputy has the responsibility of explaining to his electorate the laws enacted and decisions adopted by the National Shengo, to receive their views and to provide appropriate replies to questions addressed to him.

  2. Each people’s deputy shall submit periodic reports on his activities to his electorate.

Article 79#

A people’s deputy shall make the following pledge before assuming his duties: I solemnly pledge to dedicate myself to the freedom and unity of the People’s Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, to be faithful to socialism, to give precedence to the will and interests of the working people, and to strive for the implementation of this Constitution and other laws.

Article 80#

Articles of this Constitution relating to the working procedures of the National Shengo, as well as the nomination, election, accountability, privileges, duties and recall of people’s deputies shall apply mutatis mutandis to shengos established and deputies elected at all levels.