Art. 161 - Each of the two chambers of the Parliament may, within the framework of its
prerogatives, institute at any time committees investigating affairs of general interest.
Art. 162 - The control institutions and bodies are in charge of checking the conformity of
the legislative and executive action with the Constitution and to verify the conditions of
use and management of material means and public funds.
Art. 163 - A Constitutional Council is instituted to see to the respect of the Constitution.
The Constitutional Council sees also to the due form of referendum operations, the
election of the President of the Republic and the general elections. It proclaims the results
of these operations.
Art. 164 - The Constitutional Council is composed of nine (09) members : three (03)
appointed by the President of the Republic among whom is the President, two (02)
elected by the People’s National Assembly, two (02) elected by the Council of Nation,
one (01) elected by the Supreme court of Nation, one (01) elected by the Council of State.
Once elected or appointed, the members of the Constitutional Council cease any other
mandate, function, responsibility or mission.
The President of the Republic appoints the President of the Constitutional Council for a
single mandate of six (06) years.
The other members of the Constituional Council fill a unique mandate of six (06) years
and are renewed by half every three (03) years.
Art. 165 - In addition to the prerogatives explicitly bestowed upon it by other provisions
of the Constitution, the Constitutional Council pronounces on the constitutionality of
treaties, laws and regulations, either through an opinion if these are not enforced or,
otherwise, through a decision.
The Constitutional Council, called upon by the President of the republic, expresses a
compulsory opinion on the constitutionality of the organic laws following their adoption
by the Parliament.
The Constitutional Council also pronounces on the conformity of the rules of procedures
of each of the two chambers of the Parliament with the Constitution in accordance with
the provisions of the above mentioned paragraph.
Art. 166 - The Constitutional Council is called upon by the President of the Republic, the
President of the People’s National Assembly or by the President of the Council of Nation.
Art. 167 - The Constitutional Council deliberates in camera ; its opinion or its decision
are given within twenty (20) days following the date it was referred to.