Independence:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
National holiday:
Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926)
Constitution:
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 Richard FELL (since NA
December 2001); Commissioner (nonresident) Leslie JACQUES (since
November 2003); serves as liaison between the governor and the
Island Council
election results: Jay WARREN elected mayor and chairman of the
Island Council
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; high commissioner 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 December 2007)
head of government: mayor and chairman of the Island Council Jay
WARREN (since 15 December 2004)
cabinet: NA
Legislative branch:
unicameral Island Council (10 seats - 5 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 2003 (next to be held 24 December
2004)
election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - all independents
Judicial branch:
Island Court (island magistrate, appointed by the governor,
presides over the court)
Political parties and leaders:
none
Political pressure groups and leaders:
none