Rule 7Challenge
of still unratified credentials on procedural grounds
7.1. Credentials
may be challenged by at least ten members of the Assembly present
in the Chamber, belonging to at least five national delegations,
on stated procedural grounds based upon:
7.1.a. one or more of
the relevant provisions of the Statute (in particular Articles 25
and 26);
7.1.b. the
conditions set out in Rule 6.2.a. and
Rule 6.2.b.;
7.1.c. the absence
of a solemn statement as mentioned in Rule 6.2.c..
The authors shall state the reasons for the challenge.
7.2. Credentials
challenged on procedural grounds at the opening of a part-session
or a meeting of the Standing Committee shall be referred without
debate to the Committee on Rules, Ethics and Immunities. They may
be referred for opinion to the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination,
where credentials are challenged in relation to the representation
of the sexes in the membership of the delegation concerned. The
committee shall report within twenty-four hours if possible. These
deadlines do not apply to the Standing Committee. If the Committee
concludes that the credentials should be ratified, it may submit
an opinion to the President of the Assembly, who shall read it out
in the plenary sitting of the Assembly or the Standing Committee,
without debate. If the Committee concludes that the credentials
should not be ratified or that they should be ratified but that
some rights of participation or representation should be denied
or suspended, the Committee’s report shall be placed on the agenda
for debate within the prescribed deadlines.
and
Rule 6.2.b.