Source: Boğaziçi University, Atatürk Institute of Modern Turkish History ( http://www.ata.boun.edu.tr  ) (The translator is unknown)

http://www.ata.boun.edu.tr/Department%20Webpages/ATA_517/Revised%20Articles%20of%20the%201876%20Constitution,%20August%201909.doc  (Removed in 2005)

 

 

Revised Articles of the 1876 Constitution,
August 1909

 

Art. 3. The Imperial Ottoman sovereignty, which carries with it the Supreme Caliphate of Islam, falls to the eldest Prince of the House of Osman, according to the rule established ab antiquo. On his accession the Sultan shall swear before Parliament, or if Parliament is not sitting, at its first meeting, to respect the visions of the Şeriat (canon law) and the Constitution, and to be loyal to the country and the nation.

 

Art. 7. Among the sacred prerogatives of the Sultan are the following:

The mention of his name in prayers; the minting of money; the granting of high public offices and titles, according to the law ad hoc; the conferring of orders; the selection and appointment of the Grand Vizier and the Şeyhülislam; the confirmation in their offices of the members of the Cabinet formed and proposed by the Grand Vizier, and, if need arise, the dismissal and replacement of Ministers according to established practice; the approval of putting into force of general laws; the drawing up of regulations concerning the workings of Government departments and the method of administering the laws; the initiative in all kinds of legislation; the maintenance and execution of the canon and civil laws; the appointment of persons to the privileged provinces according to the terms of their privileges; the command of the military and naval forces; the declaration of war and the making of peace; the reduction and remission of sentences passed by penal Courts; the granting of a general amnesty with the approval of Parliament; the opening and closing of the parliamentary sessions; the summoning of Parliament before its time in extraordinary circumstances; the dissolution of the Chamber of Deputies if necessary, with the consent of the Senate, on condition that elections take place and the Chamber assembles within three months; and the conclusion of  Treaties in general. Only, the consent of Parliament is required for the conclusion of Treaties which concern peace, commerce, the abandonment or annexation of territory, or the fundamental or personal rights of Ottoman subjects, or which involve expenditure on the part of the State. In case of a change of Cabinet while Parliament is not sitting, the responsibility arising out of the change rests upon the new Cabinet.

 

Art. 27. Just as His Imperial Majesty the Sultan entrusts the posts of Grand Vizier ad Şeyhülislam to men in whom he has confidence, so the other Ministers, who are approved and proposed by the Grand Vizier entrusted with the formation of the Cabinet, are confirmed in their offices by Imperial Irade.

 

Art. 28. The Council of Ministers shall meet under the presidency of the Grand Vizier. It shall deal with affairs of importance, both home and foreign. Such of its decisions as need the Imperial assent shall be put into force by Imperial Irade.

 

Art. 30. Ministers shall be responsible to the Chamber of Deputies collectively for the general policy of the Government and personally for the affairs of their respective departments. Decisions which need the Imperial sanction shall only become valid if signed by the Grand Vizier and the Minister concerned, who thus accept responsibility, and countersigned by the Sultan. Decisions arrived at by the Council of Ministers shall bear the signatures of all the Ministers, and in cases where the Imperial assent is necessary, these signatures shall be headed by that of His Imperial Majesty the Sultan.

 

Art. 41. Both houses of Parliament shall meet without being summoned on the 1st (14th) November of every year.

 

Art. 44. If need arises His Imperial Majesty the Sultan may open Parliament before the specified time, either on his own initiative or on application from an absolute majority of the members. He may also prolong the session either in virtue of a decision of Parliament or on his own initiative.

 

Art. 54. Bills become law after being examined and accepted by the Chamber of Deputies and the senate, and sanctioned by Imperial İrade. Bills submitted for the Imperial sanction must either receive that sanction within two months or be returned for re-examination. If a bill sent back to be discussed again is to be accepted, it must be voted by a two-thirds majority. Bills, which are voted urgent, must either be sanctioned or be returned within ten days.

 

Art. 120. Ottomans enjoy the right of assembly, on the condition that they obey the law on the subject.

 

The societies are forbidden which aim at injuring the territorial integrity of the Ottoman Empire, changing the form of the Constitution or of the government, acting contrary to the provisions of the Constitution, or bringing about a separation between the various Ottoman elements, or which are contrary to public morals.

 

The formation of secret societies in general is also forbidden.