Independence Day, 1 October (1978)

Constitution:

1 October 1978

Legal system:

English common law supplemented by local customary 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); represented by Governor General Iakoba TAEIA Italeli (since May 2010)

head of government: Prime Minister Willie TELAVI (since 24 December 2010)