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{{short description|Representative of voters to a regional or sometimes national legislature}} | {{short description|Representative of voters to a regional or sometimes national legislature}} | ||
A ''' | {{Additional citations|date=March 2026}} | ||
A '''Member of the Legislative Assembly''' ('''MLA''') is a representative elected to sit in a [[legislative assembly]]. The term most commonly refers to members of the legislature of a [[federated state]] or an [[autonomous region]], but is also used for several national legislatures. | |||
==Australia== | ==Australia== | ||
{{More|States and territories of Australia}} | {{More|States and territories of Australia}} | ||
Members of the Legislative | Members of the Legislative Assemblies of [[New South Wales Legislative Assembly|New South Wales]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/web/common.nsf/key/MembersAbout|title=The Role of Members of Parliament|date=2 February 2008|work=parliament.nsw.gov.au|access-date=9 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110424004156/https://parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/web/common.nsf/key/MembersAbout|archive-date=24 April 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Legislative Assembly of Queensland|Queensland]]<ref>Resolution of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (Qld branch), 19 October 2000. Source: Queensland Parliamentary Library, 15 November 2005.</ref> and [[Victorian Legislative Assembly|Victoria]], and the Houses of Assembly of [[South Australian House of Assembly|South Australia]] and [[Tasmanian House of Assembly|Tasmania]] use the suffix [[Member of parliament|MP]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.stylemanual.gov.au/grammar-punctuation-and-conventions/titles-honours-forms-address/parliaments-and-councils |title=Parliaments and councils |website=Australian Government Style Manual |publisher=Australian Government |access-date=9 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240409060501/https://www.stylemanual.gov.au/grammar-punctuation-and-conventions/titles-honours-forms-address/parliaments-and-councils |archive-date=9 April 2024}}</ref> Previously, these states used the suffixes MLA<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/contacting-members/|title=Members' titles|date=25 October 2010|work=parliament.vic.gov.au|access-date=9 April 2011|archive-date=6 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110406103000/http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/about/people-in-parliament/members|url-status=live}}</ref> and MHA respectively. | ||
Members of the Legislative Assemblies of | Members of the Legislative Assemblies of [[Western Australian Legislative Assembly|Western Australia]], [[Northern Territory Legislative Assembly|Northern Territory]], and [[Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly|Australian Capital Territory]] are known as MLAs. However, the suffix MP is also commonly used. | ||
In the federal parliament, members of the [[Australian House of Representatives|House of Representatives]] are designated MP and not MHR.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aph.gov.au/house/pubs/practice/chapter5.htm#mpm|title=House of Representatives Practice|date=30 September 2005|work=aph.gov.au|access-date=9 April 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110406062449/http://www.aph.gov.au/house/pubs/PRACTICE/chapter5.htm#mpm|archive-date=6 April 2011}}</ref> | In the federal parliament, members of the [[Australian House of Representatives|House of Representatives]] are designated MP and not MHR.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aph.gov.au/house/pubs/practice/chapter5.htm#mpm|title=House of Representatives Practice|date=30 September 2005|work=aph.gov.au|access-date=9 April 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110406062449/http://www.aph.gov.au/house/pubs/PRACTICE/chapter5.htm#mpm|archive-date=6 April 2011}}</ref> | ||
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==Brazil== | ==Brazil== | ||
{{More|Federative units of Brazil}} | {{More|Federative units of Brazil}} | ||
In Brazil, members of all 26 legislative assemblies ({{ | In Brazil, members of all 26 legislative assemblies ({{langx|pt|assembléias legislativas}}) are called ''deputados estaduais'' ({{langx|en|state deputies}}). Unlike the federal legislative body which is [[bicameral]], Brazilian state legislatures are [[unicameral]]. | ||
The [[Federal District (Brazil)|Federal District]] legislative assembly is called the ''Legislative Chamber'' ({{ | The [[Federal District (Brazil)|Federal District]] legislative assembly is called the ''Legislative Chamber'' ({{langx|pt|Câmara Legislativa}}) and is composed of ''deputados distritais'' ({{langx|en|district deputies}}). Members of the [[Chamber of Deputies of Brazil|Lower House]] are also called deputies, but they are ''deputados federais'' ({{langx|en|federal deputies}}). | ||
==Canada== | ==Canada== | ||
{{Main|Legislative assemblies of Canadian provinces and territories}} | {{Main|Legislative assemblies of Canadian provinces and territories}} | ||
In [[Canada]], members of the federal [[House of Commons of | In [[Canada]], members of the federal [[House of Commons of Canada]] are described as [[Member of Parliament (Canada)|members of Parliament]] (MPs) and members of the [[Senate of Canada|Senate]] as senators, although both the House and Senate are part of the [[Parliament of Canada]]. Both senators and MPs are considered to be parliamentarians. Members of provincial and territorial legislative assemblies are called MLAs in all [[Provinces and territories of Canada|provinces and territories]] ''except'': | ||
* [[Ontario]], where they have been called [[Member of Provincial Parliament (Ontario)|members of Provincial Parliament]] (MPPs) since 1938 (before then both MPP and MLA were used) | |||
* [[Quebec]], where in English they | * [[Ontario]], where they have been called [[Member of Provincial Parliament (Ontario)|members of Provincial Parliament]] (MPPs) since 1938 (before then both "MPP" and "MLA" were used) | ||
* [[Newfoundland and Labrador]], where they are called [[Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly|members of the House of Assembly]] (MHAs). | * [[Quebec]], where in English they have been called [[National Assembly of Quebec|members of the National Assembly]] (MNAs) since 1968 | ||
* [[Newfoundland and Labrador]], where they are called [[Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly|members of the House of Assembly]] (MHAs). | |||
This means that despite the fact that ten out of thirteen provinces and territories use the term "MLA", a large majority (62.8%) of Canadians refer to their provincial legislators as something other than "MLA" (due to Ontario's large population, slightly more people use the term "MPP" alone than use "MLA"). | |||
Despite styling its legislature as the [[Nova Scotia House of Assembly|House of Assembly]] like Newfoundland and Labrador, [[Nova Scotia]] describes its legislators as MLAs. | |||
==Falkland Islands== | ==Falkland Islands== | ||
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{{Main|Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)}} | {{Main|Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)}} | ||
Of the [[States and Union Territories of India|28 states and | Of the [[States and Union Territories of India|28 states and 8 union territories (UTs) of India]], all 28 states and three UTs ([[National Capital Territory of Delhi|Delhi]], [[Puducherry (union territory)|Puducherry]], and [[Jammu and Kashmir (Union Territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]]) have [[Vidhan Sabha|legislative assemblies]]. | ||
A person, if [[Vidhan Sabha#Qualifications required to become a member|qualified]], may be elected as an MLA based on [[universal adult suffrage]] by an electorate consisting of all citizens above the age of 18 of that state or UT. | A person, if [[Vidhan Sabha#Qualifications required to become a member|qualified]], may be elected as an MLA based on [[universal adult suffrage]] by an electorate consisting of all citizens above the age of 18 of that state or UT. Those elected or appointed to a [[Legislative Assembly]] (Vidhan Sabha) are referred to as Members of the Legislative Assembly or MLAs. | ||
Each legislative constituency of the State or UT is represented by only one MLA. As outlined in the Constitution of India, the number of legislative seats in a legislature cannot be more than 500 members and fewer than 60 members. However, with an Act of Parliament, the seats can be fewer than 60, as such is the case in the states of [[Goa]], [[Sikkim]], [[Mizoram]] and the UT of [[Puducherry (union territory)|Puducherry]]. | Each legislative constituency of the State or UT is represented by only one MLA. As outlined in the Constitution of India, the number of legislative seats in a legislature cannot be more than 500 members and fewer than 60 members. However, with an Act of Parliament, the seats can be fewer than 60, as such is the case in the states of [[Goa]], [[Sikkim]], [[Mizoram]] and the UT of [[Puducherry (union territory)|Puducherry]]. | ||
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Depending on the population and other factors, each State or UT has varying numbers of MLAs, the highest being in the state of [[Uttar Pradesh]] (403) and the least in the UT of Puducherry (30). | Depending on the population and other factors, each State or UT has varying numbers of MLAs, the highest being in the state of [[Uttar Pradesh]] (403) and the least in the UT of Puducherry (30). | ||
Owing to parliamentary democracy, wherein some members of the legislature also act as the executive | Owing to parliamentary democracy, wherein some members of the legislature also act as the executive, some MLAs may have triple responsibilities: as an MLA, as a cabinet minister of a department and/or as a chief minister of that state. | ||
==Malaysia== | ==Malaysia== | ||
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{{main|State legislative assemblies of Malaysia}} | {{main|State legislative assemblies of Malaysia}} | ||
A state legislative assembly comprises elected representatives from single-member constituencies during state elections through the first-past-the-post system. The majority party in each assembly forms the state government, and the leader of the majority party becomes chief minister of the state. The state legislative assemblies are unicameral, unlike the bicameral Parliament of Malaysia. The hereditary rulers or governors are vested with powers to dissolve their respective state legislative assemblies on the advice of the chief minister. Once dissolved, elections must be carried out within an interim period of sixty (60) days. Usually, state elections are held simultaneously with the federal parliamentary elections, with the exception of Sarawak, and before 2004, Sabah. | A state legislative assembly comprises elected representatives from single-member constituencies during state elections through the first-past-the-post system. The majority party in each assembly forms the state government, and the leader of the majority party becomes chief minister of the state. The state legislative assemblies are unicameral, unlike the bicameral Parliament of Malaysia. The hereditary rulers or governors are vested with powers to dissolve their respective state legislative assemblies on the advice of the chief minister. Once dissolved, elections must be carried out within an interim period of sixty (60) days. Usually, state elections are held simultaneously with the federal parliamentary elections, with the exception of Sarawak, and before 2004, Sabah.<ref>{{cite web |title=Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim secured the most seats, but his Pakatan Harapan alliance fell well short of a majority |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-63694710 |access-date=2024-10-30 |website=BBC News|date=20 November 2022 }}</ref> | ||
==Northern Ireland== | ==Northern Ireland== | ||
{{Main|Member of the Legislative Assembly (Northern Ireland)}} | {{Main|Member of the Legislative Assembly (Northern Ireland)}} | ||
Members of the [[Northern Ireland Assembly]], the [[devolution|devolved]] [[legislature]] of [[Northern Ireland]] are known as | Members of the [[Northern Ireland Assembly]], the [[devolution|devolved]] [[legislature]] of [[Northern Ireland]] are known as MLAs (Members of the Legislative Assembly). | ||
The Assembly was suspended on October 14, 2002 but the persons elected to it at the [[2003 Northern Ireland Assembly election|2003 Assembly Election]] were called together on 15 May 2006 under the Northern Ireland Act 2006<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2006/20060017.htm|title=Northern Ireland Act 2006 (c. 17)|publisher=Legislation.gov.uk|access-date=2006-05-19|archive-date=2008-09-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080908104116/http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2006/20060017.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> for the purpose of electing a First Minister and deputy First Minister and choosing the members of an Executive (before 25 November 2006) as a preliminary to the restoration of devolved government in Northern Ireland. Another [[2007 Northern Ireland Assembly election|election]] was held on 7 March 2007 and powers were restored to the Assembly in May 2007. | The Assembly was suspended on October 14, 2002 but the persons elected to it at the [[2003 Northern Ireland Assembly election|2003 Assembly Election]] were called together on 15 May 2006 under the Northern Ireland Act 2006<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2006/20060017.htm|title=Northern Ireland Act 2006 (c. 17)|publisher=Legislation.gov.uk|access-date=2006-05-19|archive-date=2008-09-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080908104116/http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2006/20060017.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> for the purpose of electing a First Minister and deputy First Minister and choosing the members of an Executive (before 25 November 2006) as a preliminary to the restoration of devolved government in Northern Ireland. Another [[2007 Northern Ireland Assembly election|election]] was held on 7 March 2007 and powers were restored to the Assembly in May 2007. | ||
Latest revision as of 21:19, 21 March 2026
Template:Additional citations
A Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) is a representative elected to sit in a legislative assembly. The term most commonly refers to members of the legislature of a federated state or an autonomous region, but is also used for several national legislatures.
Australia[edit | edit source]
Members of the Legislative Assemblies of New South Wales,[1] Queensland[2] and Victoria, and the Houses of Assembly of South Australia and Tasmania use the suffix MP.[3] Previously, these states used the suffixes MLA[4] and MHA respectively.
Members of the Legislative Assemblies of Western Australia, Northern Territory, and Australian Capital Territory are known as MLAs. However, the suffix MP is also commonly used.
In the federal parliament, members of the House of Representatives are designated MP and not MHR.[5]
Brazil[edit | edit source]
In Brazil, members of all 26 legislative assemblies (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.) are called deputados estaduais (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.). Unlike the federal legislative body which is bicameral, Brazilian state legislatures are unicameral.
The Federal District legislative assembly is called the Legislative Chamber (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.) and is composed of deputados distritais (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.). Members of the Lower House are also called deputies, but they are deputados federais (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.).
Canada[edit | edit source]
In Canada, members of the federal House of Commons of Canada are described as members of Parliament (MPs) and members of the Senate as senators, although both the House and Senate are part of the Parliament of Canada. Both senators and MPs are considered to be parliamentarians. Members of provincial and territorial legislative assemblies are called MLAs in all provinces and territories except:
- Ontario, where they have been called members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) since 1938 (before then both "MPP" and "MLA" were used)
- Quebec, where in English they have been called members of the National Assembly (MNAs) since 1968
- Newfoundland and Labrador, where they are called members of the House of Assembly (MHAs).
This means that despite the fact that ten out of thirteen provinces and territories use the term "MLA", a large majority (62.8%) of Canadians refer to their provincial legislators as something other than "MLA" (due to Ontario's large population, slightly more people use the term "MPP" alone than use "MLA").
Despite styling its legislature as the House of Assembly like Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia describes its legislators as MLAs.
Falkland Islands[edit | edit source]
Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Falkland Islands use the suffix MLA. In 2009 the Legislative Council of the Falkland Islands (which had existed since the 1840s) was replaced with the new Legislative Assembly. As a result, Members of the Legislative Assembly are often still referred to as Councillors.
Hong Kong[edit | edit source]
Members of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong are referred to as Legco Councillors.
India[edit | edit source]
Of the 28 states and 8 union territories (UTs) of India, all 28 states and three UTs (Delhi, Puducherry, and Jammu and Kashmir) have legislative assemblies.
A person, if qualified, may be elected as an MLA based on universal adult suffrage by an electorate consisting of all citizens above the age of 18 of that state or UT. Those elected or appointed to a Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) are referred to as Members of the Legislative Assembly or MLAs.
Each legislative constituency of the State or UT is represented by only one MLA. As outlined in the Constitution of India, the number of legislative seats in a legislature cannot be more than 500 members and fewer than 60 members. However, with an Act of Parliament, the seats can be fewer than 60, as such is the case in the states of Goa, Sikkim, Mizoram and the UT of Puducherry.
Depending on the population and other factors, each State or UT has varying numbers of MLAs, the highest being in the state of Uttar Pradesh (403) and the least in the UT of Puducherry (30).
Owing to parliamentary democracy, wherein some members of the legislature also act as the executive, some MLAs may have triple responsibilities: as an MLA, as a cabinet minister of a department and/or as a chief minister of that state.
Malaysia[edit | edit source]
A state legislative assembly comprises elected representatives from single-member constituencies during state elections through the first-past-the-post system. The majority party in each assembly forms the state government, and the leader of the majority party becomes chief minister of the state. The state legislative assemblies are unicameral, unlike the bicameral Parliament of Malaysia. The hereditary rulers or governors are vested with powers to dissolve their respective state legislative assemblies on the advice of the chief minister. Once dissolved, elections must be carried out within an interim period of sixty (60) days. Usually, state elections are held simultaneously with the federal parliamentary elections, with the exception of Sarawak, and before 2004, Sabah.[6]
Northern Ireland[edit | edit source]
Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly, the devolved legislature of Northern Ireland are known as MLAs (Members of the Legislative Assembly).
The Assembly was suspended on October 14, 2002 but the persons elected to it at the 2003 Assembly Election were called together on 15 May 2006 under the Northern Ireland Act 2006[7] for the purpose of electing a First Minister and deputy First Minister and choosing the members of an Executive (before 25 November 2006) as a preliminary to the restoration of devolved government in Northern Ireland. Another election was held on 7 March 2007 and powers were restored to the Assembly in May 2007.
South Korea[edit | edit source]
A member of any of the provincial legislative assemblies may be referred to as an MLA in English.
United States[edit | edit source]
In the United States of America, state legislator is a generic term referring to a member of the legislative body of any of the country's 50 states.
The formal name of the legislature varies from state to state. In 24 states, it is simply called the Legislature or the State Legislature, while in 19 states, the legislature is called the General Assembly. In Massachusetts and New Hampshire, the legislature is called the General Court, while North Dakota and Oregon designate the legislature as the Legislative Assembly.
The Associated Press guidelines for journalists recommend referring to state legislators as state representatives or state senators to avoid confusion with their federal counterparts.
Wales[edit | edit source]
Members of the Senedd, the devolved Parliament for Wales, are usually known as MSs or Aelodau o'r Senedd (ASau).[8]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "The Role of Members of Parliament". parliament.nsw.gov.au. 2 February 2008. Archived from the original on 24 April 2011. Retrieved 9 April 2011.
- ↑ Resolution of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (Qld branch), 19 October 2000. Source: Queensland Parliamentary Library, 15 November 2005.
- ↑ "Parliaments and councils". Australian Government Style Manual. Australian Government. Archived from the original on 9 April 2024. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
- ↑ "Members' titles". parliament.vic.gov.au. 25 October 2010. Archived from the original on 6 April 2011. Retrieved 9 April 2011.
- ↑ "House of Representatives Practice". aph.gov.au. 30 September 2005. Archived from the original on 6 April 2011. Retrieved 9 April 2011.
- ↑ "Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim secured the most seats, but his Pakatan Harapan alliance fell well short of a majority". BBC News. 20 November 2022. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
- ↑ "Northern Ireland Act 2006 (c. 17)". Legislation.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 2008-09-08. Retrieved 2006-05-19.
- ↑ Torrance, David (2020-05-06). "Senedd Cymru: Why has the National Assembly for Wales changed its name?". Archived from the original on 2020-05-11. Retrieved 2020-05-14.
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