APRIL 2016

Issue 1

Government in
the Bahamas

THIS PHOTO IS OF PARLIAMENT SQUARE

Overview/
Structure
The Bahamas recognizes Her
Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as
Head of State. The GovernorGeneral is Her Majestys
representative in this country
and constitutes a symbol of the
nations unity. It breaks down in
to the Executive, Legislative and
Judicial Branches. The two main
parties are the Free National
Movement and the Progressive
Liberal Party. The Bahamas is a
member of the Commonwealth
of Nations, retaining the Queen
as the head of state.
The Prime Minister Perry
Christine is the head of the
government and the leader of
the party with the most seats in
the House of Assembly. The
governor today is also Dame
Marguerite Pindling.

Government System
By: Alexa Rothman

The Cabinet
This constitutes the Executive branch and has
general direction and control of the
Government of the Bahamas. It is necessary
for the cabinet to compromise at least nine
ministers inclusive of the Prime Minister and
Attorney General. The functions of the
Cabinet entail the final determination of
government policy, control of government
activities and coordination of government
Ministries and departments. The Cabinet
meets at least once per week to consider
various issues.

The Parliament
The Parliament of the Bahamas is bicameral
which consists of two chambers, with an
appointed Senate and an elected House of
Assembly. Her Majesty the Queen,
represented by the Governor General, is also
a part of Parliament. It is mandated of the
Constitution to make laws for the peace,
order and good government of the Bahamas.
The Constitution authorizes Parliament to
make laws by passing bulls and also
empowers Parliament to :
-determine the privileges, immunities and
powers of the Senate and House of Assembly
-Alter or amend any of the provisions of the
constitution
-Regulate its own procedures by making rules
of procedure

Prescribe the officers who are to constitute

the personal staff of the Governor- General
-Prescribe the number of Justices of the
Supreme Court

The Judicature of the

Commonwealth of the
Bahamas
Justices of the Supreme Court,
Registrars and Magistrates are
appointed by the Governor- general
acting on the advice of the Judicial
and Legal Services Commission.
They compromise five persons with
the Chief Justice as Chairman.
The Chief Justice and the Justices of
the Court of Appeal, including the
president, are appointed by the
governor- general on the
recommendation of the Prime
Minister after consultation with the
Leader of the Opposition.
The Court of Appeal and Supreme
Court are not government

GOVERNMENT IN THE BAHAMAS

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departments. They function as

independent institutions under the
Constitution.
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