Government of Pitcairn Islands
Country name: | conventional long form: Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno Islands conventional short form: Pitcairn Islands |
Dependency status: | overseas territory of the UK |
Government type: | NA |
Capital: | name: Adamstown geographic coordinates: 25 04 S, 130 05 W time difference: UTC-9 (4 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) |
Administrative divisions: | none (overseas territory of the UK) |
Independence: | none (overseas territory of the UK) |
National holiday: | Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926) |
Constitution: | 30 November 1838; reformed 1904 with additional reforms in 1940; further refined by the 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 6 February 1952); represented by UK High Commissioner to New Zealand and Governor (nonresident) of the Pitcairn Islands George FERGUSSON (since April 2006); Commissioner (nonresident) Leslie JAQUES (since September 2003) serves as liaison between the governor and the Island Council head of government: Governor George FERGUSSON (since April 2006); Mayor and Chairman of the Island Council Jay WARREN (since 15 December 2004) cabinet: NA elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor and commissioner appointed by the monarch; island mayor elected by popular vote for a three-year term; election last held December 2004 (next to be held in December 2007) election results: Jay WARREN elected mayor and chairman of the Island Council |
Legislative branch: | unicameral Island Council (10 seats; 5 members elected by popular vote, 1 nominated by the 5 elected members, 2 appointed by the governor including 1 seat for the Island Secretary, the Island Mayor, and a commissioner liaising between the governor and council; elected members serve one-year terms) elections: last held 24 December 2006 (next to be held in December 2007) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - all independents |
Judicial branch: | Magistrate's Court; Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; Judicial Officers are appointed by the Governor |
Political parties and leaders: | none |
Political pressure groups and leaders: | none |
International organization participation: | SPC, UPU |
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 |