Composition and Functions
Composition
The National Council has 25 members, 20 directly elected by the people of the 20 dzongkhags (districts), and
five nominated by the Druk Gyalpo. The Council is an apolitical body with a five-year term from the date of
the first sitting. It is a continuous house and elections are held so that the house is re-constituted on
the date its term expires.
The National Council was established in 2008 under article 11 of the Constitution of Bhutan. The first
joint sitting of Parliament was held from May 8-30, 2008, and the first session of the National Council was
held in the Banquet Hall at Langjophakha from June 17 to July 24, 2008.
Functions
The National Council has legislative and review functions and is referred to as the House of Review.
As a law-making body, the National Council initiates and proposes laws except in the case of money and financial
bills. It also reviews and amends existing laws, and can pass, amend or reject any legislation passed by the
National Assembly.
As a house of review the National Council reviews and comments on the policies, plans and programmes of the
government, reviews government performance, reviews how laws passed by Parliament are being implemented and
reviews issues of national importance.