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 Martin WILLIAMS (since NA May 1998); Commissioner (nonresident) Leon SALT (since NA; is the liaison person between the governor and the Island Council)
head of government: Island Magistrate and Chairman of the Island Council Jay WARREN (since NA)
cabinet: NA
elections: the monarch is hereditary; high commissioner and commissioner appointed by the monarch; island magistrate elected every three years in December by popular vote for a three-year term; last election held NA December 1999 (next to be held NA December 2002)
election results: Lea BROWN elected island magistrate; percent of vote - NA%
Legislative branch: unicameral Island Council (10 seats - 6 elected by popular vote, 1 appointed by the 6 elected members, 2 appointed by the governor, and 1 seat for the Island Secretary; members serve one-year terms)
elections: take place each December; last held NA December 2000 (next to be held NA December 2001)
election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - all independents
Judicial branch: Island Court (island magistrate presides over the court and is elected every three years)