2005 Amendment to the Basic Law
The Basic Law of 2005 A.D. Concerning the Amendment some of the Provisions of the Amended Basic Law of 2003. Gaza: 2005. Bir Zeit Institute of Law: The Palestinian Legal and Judicial System ”al-Muqtafi”. http://web.archive.org/web/20070608180556/http://muqtafi.birzeit.edu/data/txt/2005/14860.htm, access via The Wayback Machine 13 December 2007

Concerning the Amendment some of the Provisions of the Amended Basic Law of 2003.

The Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization;
The President of the Palestinian National Authority.

Having reviewed the Amended Basic Law of 2003 A.D., particularly Article (120) thereof;
Based upon what the Legislative Council approved during its session, which convened on July 27th, 2005, A.D.;
Based upon what the public interest necessitates; and
In the name of the Palestinian People, I hereby promulgate the following Law:

Article 1

Articles 36, 47/Clause 3 thereunder, 48, and 55 of the Amended Basic Law of 2003 A.D. shall be amended so as to become as follows:

Article 36

The term of the presidency of the National Authority shall be four years. The President shall have the right to nominate himself for a second term of presidency, provided that he shall not occupy the position of the presidency more than two consecutive terms.

Article 47 – Clause 3

The term of the Legislative Council shall be four years from the date of its being elected and the elections shall be conducted once each four years in a regular manner.

Article 48

The members of the Legislative Council shall be elected in general, free and direct elections in accordance with the provisions of the Elections Law, which shall determine the number of members, electoral constituencies and electoral system.

In the event the position of a member of more than a member of the Legislative Council becomes vacant, the vacancy shall be occupied in accordance with the provisions of the Elections Law.

Article 55

Allocations, rights and obligations of the members of the Legislative Council and Ministers shall be determined by law.

Article 2

A new article under number (47 bis) shall be added to the Amended Basic Law of 2003 A.D., the provision of which shall be as follows:

Article 47 bis

The term of the current Legislative Council shall terminate when the members of the new elected Council take the constitutional oath.

Article 3

This Law shall be effective as of its publication in the Official Gazette.

Promulgated in the City of Gaza on August 13, 2005 A.D.
Corresponding to Rajab 8, 1426 A.H.

Mahmoud Abbas
Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization
President of the Palestinian National Authority