In the Empire of Ethiopia it was by function a constitutional monarchy. The revisited 1955 constitution was promulgated on 4 November 1955, this constitution was important to reduce regional warlords and consolidate the imperial power. The revised constitution vested power to the Chamber of the Senate (Yeheggue Mewossegna Meker Beth) and Chamber of Deputies (Yeheggue Memeriya Meker Beth). However, the Senate was designed to be appointment only and the only the Deputies were elected. Senate appointments were mainly focused on nobility that had gained favour with the State and thus had essentially existed as a 'House of Lords' since it's inception. Under the declaration of His Imperial Majesty (and with the vast approval of his appointed Senators) has revised the 1955 constitution to establish the Senate officially as a 'House of Nobles' (Yemekwaniniti Bēti).

BY THE ORDER OF THE CONQUERING LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY HAILE SELASSIE I KING OF KINGS LORD OF LORDS ELECT OF GOD, EMPEROR OF ETHIOPIA

1961 Revised Constitution of Ethiopia

ARTICLE 1

1.a) WHEREAS, twenty-nine ago, at the beginning of Our Reign, We granted to Our faithful subjects and proclaimed a Constitution for the Empire of Ethiopia;

1.b) and WHEREAS, ALMIGHTY GOD, THE SOURCE OF ALL BENEFITS, has strengthened and inspired us to lead our beloved People, during Our Reign, through the greatest of trials and hardships, to an era of great progress in all fields;

1.c) and WHEREAS, being desirous of consolidating the progress achieved and of laying a solid basis for the happiness and prosperity of the present and future generations of Our People, We have prepared a Revised Constitution for Our Empire after many years of searching study and reflection;

1.d) and WHEREAS, Our Parliament, after due examination and deliberation has submitted to Us its approval of this Revised Constitution;

1.e) NOW THEREFORE, WE, HAILE SELASSIE I, EMPEROR OF ETHIOPIA, do, on the occasion of the Thirtieth Anniversary of Our Coronation, hereby proclaim and place into force and effect as of today, the Revised Constitution of the Empire of Ethiopia for the benefit, welfare, and progress of Our Beloved People.

1.f) GIVEN in Our Imperial Capital, on the twenty-ninth day of Miyazia, 1953 (Ge'ez calendar), and on the Thirtieth Anniversary of Our Coronation.

ARTICLE 2

2.a) The Empire of Ethiopia comprises all the territories, including the islands and the territorial waters, under the sovereignty of the Ethiopian Crown.

2.b) Its sovereignty and territory are indivisible. Its territories and the sovereign rights therein are inalienable.

2.c) All Ethiopian subjects, whether living within or without the Empire, constitute the Ethiopian people.

ARTICLE 3

3.a) Laws may be proposed to either, or both Chambers of Parliament: (A) by the Emperor, or (B) by ten or more members of either Chamber of Parliament, except that any proposal involving an increase in governmental expenditures or a new or increased tax shall first be presented to the Chamber of Deputies.

ARTICLE 4

4.a) The Parliament shall be composed of a Chamber of Deputies and the Chamber of Nobles. No one can be simultaneously a member of both the Chamber of Deputies and the Chamber of Nobles.

4.b) The Chamber of Deputies will consist of two-hundred-and-eighty Deputies. The Chamber of Nobles will consist of one-hundred-and-five Nobles.

4.b) The Chamber of Nobles shall consist of the Electors appointed by the Emperor for ten years or for life.

4.c) The Senate shall be composed of a number of persons, not exceeding one-half of the total number of Deputies, to be chosen by the Emperor from among those who have, proven noble blood AND/OR has proven princely blood AND/OR is a member of the Mekwanint.

4.d) To be eligible for appointment as a member of the Senate a person must be by birth an Ethiopian subject who: (A) has reached the age of thirty-five years; (B) is a Prince or other Noble, or a former Noble, has by their acts secured the confidence and esteem of the people, and (C) is not disqualified under any provisions of the electoral law.

ARTICLE 5

5.a) The present revised Constitution, together with those international treaties, conventions and obligations to which Ethiopian shall be party, shall be the supreme law of the Empire, and all future legislation, decrees, orders, judgments, decisions and acts inconsistent therewith shall be null and void.