Government At a Glance

Bahamas Government At a Glance

Country name
Commonwealth of The Bahamas (long form)
Government type
Constitutional parliamentary democracy
Capital
Nassau
Administrative divisions
21 districts as follows: Acklins and Crooked Islands, Bimini, Cat Island, Exuma, Freeport, Fresh Creek, Governor’s Harbour, Green Turtle Cay, Harbour Island, High Rock, Inagua, Kemps Bay, Long Island, Marsh Harbour, Mayaguana, New Providence, Nicholls town and Berry Islands, Ragged Island, Rock Sound, Sandy Point, San Salvador and Rum Cay
Independence
10 July 1973 (from the United Kingdom)
Legal system
Based on English common law
Suffrage
18 years of age to vote; Universal
Executive branch
Head of government: Hubert INGRAHAM (Prime Minister) and Theodore “Brent” SYMONETTE (since 4 May 2007)
Nominal chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)
Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the prime minister’s recommendation (see below)
Legislative branch
Bicameral Parliament consists of:
(1) the Senate (16-member body appointed by the governor general upon the advice of the prime minister and the opposition leader for five-year terms)
(2) the House of Assembly (40 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms)
ElectionsLast held 2 May 2007 (next to be called by May 2012)
Election resultsPercent of vote by party: FNM 49.86%, PLP 47.02%
Seats by party: FNM 23, PLP 18
Judicial branchSupreme Court; Court of Appeal; Magistrates Courts
Political partiesFree National Movement or FNM (majority); Progressive Liberal Party or PLP (minority)
Chiefs of State and Cabinet Members
Prime MinisterHubert INGRAHAM
Deputy Prime MinisterTheodore “Brent” SYMONETTE
Governor GeneralArthur Dion HANNA
Minister of Agriculture & Marine ResourcesLarry CARTWRIGHT
Minister of Education, Youth, Sports, & CultureCarl BETHEL
Minister of FinanceHubert INGRAHAM
Minister of Foreign AffairsTheodore “Brent” SYMONETTE
Minister of Health & Social DevelopmentHubert MINNIS
Minister of Housing & National InsuranceKenneth RUSSELL
Minister of Lands & Local Govt.Sidney COLLIE
Minister of Legal AffairsClaire HEPBURN
Minister of Maritime Affairs & LaborDion FOULKES
Minister of National Security & ImmigrationOrville “Tommy” TURNQUEST
Minister of Tourism & AviationNeko GRANT
Minister of Works & TransportEarl DEVEAUX
Attorney GeneralClaire HEPBURN