A **Constitutional Assembly** is a **special body of representatives chosen to draft, adopt, or revise a constitution**. It is usually created when a country needs to establish or significantly reform its system of government.
# Key Features - **Purpose:** To write a new constitution or amend/replace an existing one in response to political transitions, revolutions, independence movements, or major crises.
- **Composition:** Members are often **elected by the people**, though sometimes they are appointed or chosen by political parties, civil society groups, or ruling authorities.
- **Authority:** A constitutional assembly typically has **sovereign power** over constitutional matters, meaning its decisions take precedence over ordinary laws or parliaments.
- **Temporary body:** Unlike a regular parliament, it usually **dissolves** once its task is completed.
# Examples * **United States (1787):** The *Constitutional Convention* in Philadelphia drafted the U.S. Constitution. * **India (1946–1950):** The *Constituent Assembly of India* wrote the Indian Constitution after independence from Britain. * **South Africa (1994–1996):** A constitutional assembly drafted the post-apartheid constitution, adopted in 1996. * **Chile (2021–2022):** A constitutional convention was elected to replace the Pinochet-era constitution, though its draft was rejected in a 2022 referendum.
# Contacts