Revision of the Constitution: President Bouteflika sets up committee in charge of drawing up draft bill

ALGIERS- The committee of experts in charge of drawing-up a draft bill on the revision of the constitution “as soon as possible” as decided by the President of the Republic will be installed Monday by Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal, announced Sunday the Prime Minister Office.

 President of the Republic Abdelaziz Bouteflika has set up Sunday a committee of experts in charge of drawing up a draft bill on the revision of the Constitution, and who will have to present it “as soon as possible,” said Sunday a Presidency of the Republic’s communiqué.

The committee comprises university professors “all known for their professional skills and moral qualities,” the source added.

The committee is chaired by Azzouz Kerdoun and includes Faouzia Benbadis, Bouzid Lazhari, Ghaouti Mekamcha and Abderrazak Zaouina as members.

The draft bill on the revision of the Constitution will be based on the “proposals made by political and social players and also in accordance with the guidance of the President of the Republic,” the source said.

The Head of State tasked Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal to install the committee.

Revision of the Constitution: Committee to be installed Monday by Prime Minister

This committee, made up exclusively of experts, will have to present the draft bill the soonest possible, said a Presidency of the Republic’s release.

A working group has synthesized all the proposals made by the different political and social players, who were involved in the two consultations on political reforms, held successively by the Speaker of the Council of Nation (Upper House of Parliament) Abdelkader Bensalah and the Prime Minister.

The committee comprises five eminent university professors known for their professional skills and moral qualities, including one woman Faouzia Benbadis.

The members of the committee are: Azzouz Kerdoun, as the chair, Faouzia Benbadis, Bouzid Lazhari, Ghaouti Mekamcha and Abderrazak Zaouina.

The Head of State announced the revision of the Constitution in his speech to the nation on 15 April 2011 and set up an ad hoc committee to make proposals, which should be in accordance with the fundamental values of our society. These proposals will be submitted to the Parliament for approval and then to a referendum.

The consultations on the political reforms, held by Speaker of the Council of Nation Abdelkader Bensalah in June and July 2011, allowed the different political parties as well as national personalities and representatives of the civil society to emphasize the need to revise the Constitution.