 Bahamas Government Information
An
Introduction to and Overview of the Structure of the Government
of
The Commonwealth of The Bahamas
(source: www.bahamas.gov.bs
the Official Website of the Government of the Bahamas)
The
Constitution of the Bahamas is based on the Westminster Model; Her Majesty Queen
Elizabeth II, The Executive Branch, The Legislative Branch, and Judicial Branch.
Office of the Governor General
As a member of the Commonwealth of Nations The
Bahamas recognizes Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as Head of State. The
Governor-General is Her Majesty's representative in The Bahamas and constitutes
a symbol of the nation's unity.
The Executive Branch
The Cabinet constitutes the executive branch
and has general direction and control of the Government of The Bahamas. It is
necessary, under the Constitution, for the Cabinet to comprise at least nine
Ministers inclusive of the Prime Minister and Attorney General.
All Ministers are Members
of Parliament either the House of Assembly or the Senate. The number of
Ministers from the Senate is limited to three. In addition the Prime Minister
and the Minister of Finance are required to be members of the House of Assembly.
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 Legislative Branch
Members of
Parliament
Parliament constitutes the
Legislative branch of The Bahamas, which consist of a Senate and a House of
Assembly. Subject to the provisions of the Constitution, Parliament may make
laws for the peace, order and good government of the Bahamas.
The Parliament of the Bahamas is bicameral
(Consisting 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 The Bahamas Parliament.
The First meeting of Parliament (General Assembly) took place
on 29th September 1729 and was made up of twenty-four members representing the
Islands of New Providence, Eleuthera and Harbour Island.
The Parliament is mandated by Article 52(l) 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 Bills.
The Constitution 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 that are to constitute the personal staff of
the Governor-General.
-
Prescribe the number of Justices of the Supreme Court and Court of
Appeal.
-
Approve the Government's budget.
In addition to its constitutional functions Parliament maintains oversight of
Government's financial matters through the Public Accounts Committee.
Parliament is the forum where public policy and matters of
national importance are debated.
The
Senate
The Senate consists of sixteen members known as "Senators", who are
appointed by the Governor-General by instrument under the Public Seal in
accordance with the provisions of this Article.
The Breakdown of Officials are as follows:
-
8
- from the Ruling Party
-
4
- from the Opposition Party
-
4
- appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister in
consultation with the Leader of the Opposition
House
of Assembly
The House of Assembly consist of thirty-eight members
or such greater number of members as may be specified by an Order made by the
Governor-General in accordance with the provisions of Article 70 of the
Constitution.
The members of the House are known as "Members of
Parliament" who are elected by Bahamian voters.
Presently there are forty Members of Parliament. Thirty-five
(35) for the governing party; the Free National Movement, four (4) for the
Opposition Party; the Progressive Liberal Party and one (1) for the Coalition
for Democratic Reform.
The
Judiciary
The basis of the Bahamian Law and legal system is the English Common Law
tradition.
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. The Judicial and Legal Services Commission comprises five
persons with the Chief Justice as Chairman.
The Chief Justice and the Justices of the Court of Appeal are appointed by the
Governor-General on the recommendation of the Prime Minister after consultation
with the Leader of the Opposition.
Once appointed, the salaries and other terms of appointment
of the Chief Justice, Justices of Appeal and Justices of the Supreme Court
cannot be altered to their disadvantage. Justices of the Supreme Court can serve
until he or she attains the age of sixty-five (65) years and where agreed may
serve until the age of sixty-seven (67). Justices of Appeal can serve until he
or she attains the age of sixty-eight (68) years and where agreed may serve
until the age of seventy (70) years.
The Law of the Bahamas makes provisions for the appointment
of twelve (12) Justices appointed to the Bench of the Supreme Court, this is
inclusive of the Chief Justice.
Judicial Authority is vested in the Judicature which
comprises the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal with such jurisdiction,
powers and authority as may be conferred on these Courts respectively by the
Constitution or any other law.
For
a more detailed description and Outline of the Structure, Constitution
and
other information
Please
visit the Official website for
The
Government of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas
Need more General Information
on the Bahamas?
Download a copy of our Quick
Information Guide on The Bahamas.
Please Note: Adobe Acrobat
Reader required
to view or download
this document.
[ Home ] [ Biograghy of the Prime Minister ] [ Biographty of the Minster of Foreign Affairs ]
| 