In what cases must an extraordinary session of the People's Council be convened?

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Scene of the 12th session of the Provincial People's Council. Photo courtesy of Thanh Cuong

In Article 78, Law on Organization of Local Governmentregulations on meeting organization.

The People's Council meets at least twice a year.

The People's Council decides on the plan to organize regular meetings at the first session of the People's Council for the year starting the term and at the last session of the previous year for the following years of the term upon the proposal of the Standing Committee of the People's Council.

The People's Council holds extraordinary meetings when requested by the Standing Committee of the People's Council, the Chairman of the People's Committee at the same level, or at least one-third of the total number of People's Council delegates.

Voters in communes, wards and towns have the right to submit a petition to the People's Council of the commune, ward or town to meet, discuss and decide on the affairs of the commune, ward or town. When the petition has the signatures of more than ten percent of the total number of voters of the commune, ward or town according to the list of voters electing People's Council delegates at the commune level at the most recent election, the Standing Committee of the People's Council at the commune level is responsible for organizing an extraordinary People's Council meeting to discuss the content that the voters petitioned. The petition of the voter is considered valid when it is accompanied by the full signature, full name, date of birth and address of each signatory. The signatories of the petition are entitled to appoint one representative to attend the People's Council meeting to discuss the content that the voters petitioned.

The People's Council shall hold public meetings. In case of necessity, upon the request of the Standing Committee of the People's Council, the Chairman of the People's Committee at the same level, or at the request of at least one-third of the total number of People's Council delegates, the People's Council shall decide to hold closed meetings.

Voters have the right to request the People's Council to hold an extraordinary session. Photo: Dien Chau voters request to amend the land auction regulations to create conditions for people to buy land. Photo: Mai Hoa

In addition, Resolution No. 629/2019/UBTVQH14 dated January 30, 2019 of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Guiding a number of activities of the People's Council also specifically regulates this issue.

Specifically, Article 1 stipulates that the People's Council decides on the plan to organize regular meetings during the year to decide on issues under the People's Council's authority to consider and decide according to the provisions of Clause 1, Article 78 of the Law on Organization of Local Government. The plan must clearly state the number of regular meetings, the expected time of organization, the content of each meeting and other related issues (if any). The number of regular meetings of the People's Council is at least 2 meetings or more based on the situation, tasks and actual requirements of the locality.

During the implementation process, upon the recommendation of the People's Committee at the same level, relevant agencies and organizations, the Standing Committee of the People's Council may request the People's Council to decide to adjust the plan to supplement regular meetings during the year.

Provincial People's Council delegates voted to pass the Resolution at the 12th session of the Provincial People's Council, term 2016 - 2021. Photo courtesy of Thanh Cuong

For urgent matters under the authority of the People's Council, which need immediate decision, and arise between two regular sessions of the People's Council, the Standing Committee of the People's Council shall, on its own or at the request of the Chairman of the People's Committee of the same level or at least 1/3 of the total number of People's Council delegates, decide to convene an extraordinary session of the People's Council for consideration and decision. The number of extraordinary sessions and the time of holding extraordinary sessions shall be based on the requirements and tasks arising in the locality.

At an extraordinary session, the People's Council may consider and decide on one or more issues within its authority. The consideration and decision of issues at an extraordinary session shall be carried out in the same order and procedure as at a regular session.

Article 2 of Resolution No. 629/2019/UBTVQH14 also stipulates, during the period between two regular sessions, when at least one-third of the total number of People's Council delegates request, the Standing Committee of the People's Council shall convene an extraordinary People's Council session. The written request must state the reason, have the signature, full name and address of the People's Council delegate.

The decision to convene an extraordinary session must be sent to the People's Council delegates at least 7 days before the opening date of the session. The proposed agenda for the extraordinary session of the People's Council must be published in the media at least 3 days before the opening date of the session.