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Politics of the Pitcairn Islands

Country name:
conventional long form: Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno Islands
conventional short form: Pitcairn Islands

Data code: PC

Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK

Government type: Municipality/Constitutional monarchy

Capital: Adamstown, named after John Adams, the last of the mutineers, who died in 1829.


Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of the UK)

Independence: none (overseas territory of the UK)

National holiday: Celebration of the Birthday of the Queen (second Saturday in June)

Constitution: Local Government Ordinance of 1964

Legal system: local island by-laws

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal with three years residency

Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen Elizabeth II (since February 6, 1952), represented by UK High Commissioner to New Zealand and Governor (nonresident) of the Pitcairn Islands Richard FELL; Commissioner (nonresident) Leon SALT (since NA; is the liaison person between the governor and the Island Council)
head of government: Mayor Jay Warren] (Elected 15th December, 2004)
cabinet: NA
elections: the monarch is hereditary; high commissioner and commissioner appointed by the monarch under advice of Government; island Mayor elected by popular vote for a three-year term.
election results: Jay Warren Mayor

Legislative branch: unicameral Island Council (10 seats - The Mayor and the Chairman of the Island Council both hold membership ex officio; 4 elected by popular vote, 1 co-opted by the Chairman and the 4 other elected members; 2 appointed by the Governor including the Island Secretary (ex officio); the tenth seat is reserved for a Commissioner (non-resident) who liaises between the Council and the Governor. Except for the Mayor, who has a three year term, and the Island Secretary, whose term is indefinite, members serve one-year terms.
elections: take place each December; last held 15 December 2004 (next to be held NA December 2005)
election results: percent of vote (by tradition, not published); seats - all independents (no political parties on Pitcairn)

Judicial branch: Island Court, island magistrate presides over the court and is appointed by the Governor for a three-year term.

Political parties and leaders: none

International organization participation: SPC

Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of the UK)

Flag description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Pitcairn Islander coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms is yellow, green, and light blue with a shield featuring a yellow anchor

See also : Pitcairn Islands
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