Page 134

CGH13_ebook

Commonwealth Governance Handbook 2013/14 133 The Bahamas KEY FACTS Joined Commonwealth: 1973 Population: 347,000 (2011) GDP p.c.: US$22,431 (2011) UN HDI 2011: world ranking 53 Geography Area: 13,939 sq km Coastline: 3,540 km Capital: Nassau The Commonwealth of The Bahamas is a coral archipelago of around 700 islands and more than 2,000 rocks and cays in the West Atlantic south-east of the coast of Florida, USA, and north-east of Cuba. It straddles the Tropic of Cancer and stretches 970 km. Constitution Status: Monarchy under Queen Elizabeth II Legislature: Parliament of The Bahamas Independence: 10 July 1973 The Bahamas is a constitutional monarchy recognising Queen Elizabeth II as Head of State. She is represented by a Governor-General chosen on the advice of the cabinet. The country is a parliamentary democracy with a bicameral legislature. The Senate has 16 members, nine appointed on the advice of the Prime Minister, four on the advice of the opposition leader, and three after joint discussions. The House of Assembly (presently of 38 elected members, 41 before the 2012 elections, 40 before the 2007 elections and 49 before the 1997 elections) is directly elected on a district basis for a term not exceeding five years; elections are on the basis of universal adult suffrage. A commission meets at intervals of not less than five years to review the constituency boundaries. The constitution allows for three distinct types of legislation: the ‘specially entrenched’ provisions relating to parliament itself and the judicial system require a three-quarters majority in both houses and a popular referendum; ‘entrenched’ provisions require a two-thirds majority in both houses; and other legislation a simple majority vote. In January 2012, the government introduced changes in the Bahamas Parliamentary Elections Act that allowed limited overseas voting for nationals and permitted independent observers to observe the election process. Judicial system Supreme court: Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas Ministry: Legal Affairs The Bahamas Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court and the magistrates’ courts all have civil and criminal jurisdiction. The Supreme Court is staffed by the chief justice and 11 justices (2013) and sits in Nassau on New Providence island and Freeport on Grand Bahama. The magistrates’ courts are presided over by magistrates in New Providence and Grand Bahama, and by the island administrators in the Family Islands. Since 2006 when the coroners’ court was closed, the magistrates have been empowered to hear inquests. The Privy Council in the UK is the final court of appeal.


CGH13_ebook
To see the actual publication please follow the link above