sovereignty

Ultimate, supreme power in a state; in the United States, sovereignty rests with the people.

Article 56 [Divine Right of Sovereignty]Absolute sovereignty over the world and man belongs to God, and it is He Who has made manmaster of his own social destiny. No one can deprive man of this divine right, nor subordinate itto the vested interests of a particular individual or group. The people are to exercise this divineright in the manner specified in the following articles.Article 57 [Separation of Powers]The powers of government in the Islamic Republic are vested in the legislature, the judiciary, andthe executive powers, functioning under the supervision of the absolute religious Leader and theLeadership of the Ummah, in accordance with the forthcoming articles of this Constitution. Thesepowers are independent of each other.Article 58 [Legislature]The functions of the legislature are to be exercised through the Islamic Consultative Assembly,consisting of the elected representatives of the people. Legislation approved by this body, aftergoing through the stages specified in the articles below, is communicated to the executive and thejudiciary for implementation.Article 59 [Mandatory Referendum]In extremely important economic, political, social, and cultural matters, the functions of thelegislature may be exercised through direct recourse to popular vote through a referendum. Anyrequest for such direct recourse to public opinion must be approved by two-thirds of the membersof the Islamic Consultative Assembly.Article 60 [Executive]The functions of the executive, except in the matters that are directly placed under the jurisdictionof the Leadership by the Constitution, are to be exercised by the President and the Ministers.Article 61 [Judiciary]The functions of the judiciary are to be performed by courts of justice, which are to be formed inaccordance with the criteria of Islam, and are vested with the authority to examine and settlelawsuits, protect the rights of the public, dispense and enact justice, and implement the Divinelimits.