Constitution: 6 August 1962
Legal system: based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), a
hereditary monarch, is represented by Governor General Sir Howard
COOKE (since 1 August 1991) who was appointed by the queen on
recommendation of the prime minister
head of government: Prime Minister Percival James PATTERSON (since
30 March 1992) and the Deputy Prime Minister Seymour MULLINGS (since
NA 1993) were appointed by the governor general
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the governor general on the advice
of the prime minister
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament
Senate: consists of a 21-member body appointed by the governor
general
House of Representatives: elections last held 30 March 1993 (next to
be held by March 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats
- (60 total) PNP 52, JLP 8
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges appointed by the governor
general on advice of the prime minister
Political parties and leaders: People's National Party (PNP), P.
J. PATTERSON; Jamaica Labor Party (JLP), Edward SEAGA; National
Democratic Movement (NDM), Bruce GOLDING
Other political or pressure groups: Rastafarians (black
religious/racial cultists, pan-Africanists); New Beginnings Movement
(NBM)
International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CCC,
CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU,
ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO,
ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR,
UNMIH, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Richard Leighton BERNAL chancery: 1520 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 452-0660 FAX: [1] (202) 452-0081 consulate(s) general: Miami and New York