Manama: His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has ratified and issued Law (20) of 2026, which amends specific provisions of Decree-Law (54) of 2002, concerning the internal regulations of the Council of Representatives. This ratification follows the approval of the Shura Council and the Council of Representatives.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the newly ratified law mandates that a committee report on an interrogation request must be presented to the Council at the first session following its preparation. This report will be subjected to a vote without any discussion. Furthermore, an interrogation request will only be considered serious if it receives approval from a majority of Council members.
The law also stipulates conditions under which an interrogation can be discussed in a closed session. Such a session can be initiated upon request by the government, the Speaker, or at least ten members of the Council. This request itself must be deliberated and voted upon in a closed session. However, if two-thirds of Council members oppose the request for confidentiality, the discussion on the interrogation will proceed publicly.
The provisions of this law are set to be effective from the day following its publication in the Official Gazette.