Bahamas

The Bahamas is an independent nation and a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. Its form of government is a parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy. The Head of State is the British Monarch, represented in the country by a Governor General, appointed by the Monarch in consultation with the Prime Minister. The Head of Government is the Prime Minister, appointed by the Governor General based on their position as leader of the majority party or coalition following an electoral process.

The Bahamas has 32 local government districts: 19 are unitary districts, and 13 are subdivided into 41 townships. The island of New Providence, which houses the capital city Nassau, is directly administered by the national government. All other inhabited islands are governed through the local government system.

The Parliament of The Bahamas is bicameral. The House of Assembly is composed of 39 members elected by universal suffrage. The Senate has 16 members appointed by the Governor General: 9 on the advice of the Prime Minister, 4 on the advice of the Leader of the Opposition, and 3 by the Prime Minister in consultation with the Leader of the Opposition.

The Bahamas has two types of local governments: "Second-schedule councils", which have town committees under their jurisdiction, and "Third-schedule councils", which are unitary. These councils and committees have discretionary powers to award and manage local public contracts and to appoint local boards and committees.

Parliament: five years; Local councils and town committees: three years.

House of Assembly and local councils: single-member plurality system (first past the post).

Not applicable.

The House of Assembly is composed of 39 single-member constituencies.

None.

Local Government Act 1996; Local Government Amendment Act 2014.

Mixed Electoral Management Body: Parliamentary Registration Department.