unified system being created from former dual French and British systems; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Iolu Johnson ABBIL (since 3 September 2009)
head of government: Prime Minister Sato KILMAN (since 2 December 2010); note - Edward NATAPEI loses office in a no confidence vote on 2 December 2010
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister, responsible to parliament (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected for a five-year term by an electoral college consisting of parliament and the presidents of the regional councils; election for president last held on 2 September 2009 (next to be held in 2014); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually elected prime minister by parliament from among its members; election for prime minister last held on 22 September 2008 (next to be held following general elections in 2012)
election results: Iolu Johnson ABBIL elected president, with 41 votes out of 58, on the third ballot on 2 September 2009
Legislative branch:
unicameral Parliament (52 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)