Ethnic Federalism in a Dominant Party State: The Ethiopian Experience 1991-2000 Lovise Aalen r 2002: 2

Article 82
Structure of the Council of Constitutional Inquiry
1. The Council of Constitutional Inquiry is established by this constitution.
2. The Council of Constitutional Inquiry shall have eleven members comprising:
3. The President of the Federal Supreme Court, who shall serve as its President;
4. The vice-president of the Federal Supreme Court, who shall serve as its Vice-President:
5. Six legal experts, appointed by the President of the Republic on recommendation by the
House of Peoples’ Representatives, who shall have proven professional competence
and high moral standing;
6. Three persons designated by the House of the Federation from among its members.
7. The Council of Constitutional Inquiry shall establish an organizational structure which
can ensure expeditious execution of its responsibilities.
Article 83
Interpretation of the Constitution
1. All constitutional disputes shall be decided by the House of the Federation.
2. The House of the Federation shall, within thirty days of receipt, decide a constitutional
dispute submitted to it by the Council of constitutional Inquiry.
Article 84
Powers and Functions of the Council of Constitutional Inquiry

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1. The Council of Constitutional Inquiry shall have powers to investigate constitutional
disputes. Should the Council, upon consideration of the matter, find it necessary to
interpret the Constitution, it shall submit its recommendations thereon to the House
of the Federation.
2. Where any Federal or State law is contested as being unconstitutional and such a
dispute is submitted to it by any court or interested party, the Council shall consider
the matter and submit it to the House of the Federation for a final decision.
3. When issues of constitutional interpretation arise in the courts, the Council shall:
4. Remand the case to the concerned court if it finds there is no need for constitutional
interpretation; the interested party, if dissatisfied with the decision of the Council,
may appeal to the House of the Federation.
5. Submit its recommendations to the House of the Federation for a final decision if it
believes there is a need for constitutional interpretation.
6. The council shall draft its rules of procedure and submit them to the House of the
Federation; and implement them upon approval.