_#_Constitution: 26 May 1973, effective 6 December 1973

_#_Legal system: based on Islamic law and English common law

_#_National holiday: National Day, 16 December

_#_Executive branch: amir, crown prince and heir apparent, prime minister, Cabinet

_#_Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly was dissolved 26 August 1975 and legislative powers were assumed by the Cabinet

_#_Judicial branch: High Civil Appeals Court

_#_Leaders:

Chief of State—Amir Isa bin Salman Al KHALIFA (since 2 November 1961); Heir Apparent Hamad bin Isa Al KHALIFA (son of Amir; born 28 January 1950);

Head of Government—Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman Al KHALIFA, (since 19 January 1970)

_#_Political parties and pressure groups: political parties prohibited; several small, clandestine leftist and Shia fundamentalist groups are active