Politics of the Pitcairn Islands
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Template: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
