T h e B a h ama s Commonwealth Governance Handbook 2014/15 137 Party (PLP). After the elections Sir Lynden Pindling, who had led the PLP for 32 years, stood down and was replaced by Perry Christie. In May 2002 the PLP won a landslide victory, taking 29 seats, and Christie became Prime Minister. The FNM took seven and independents four. Tommy Turnquest, who had succeeded Ingraham as FNM leader before the elections, lost his seat, but was subsequently appointed to the Senate. Three years after stepping down as leader of the FNM, Hubert Ingraham returned to head the party in November 2005, subsequently leading it to victory in the general elections of May 2007 – the FNM taking 23 seats and the PLP 18. The turnout was 91 per cent of registered electors. On the retirement of Arthur Dion Hanna in April 2010, Sir Arthur Foulkes succeeded him as Governor-General. In the May 2012 general election the PLP won 29 seats and the FNM nine, and PLP leader Perry Christie was sworn in as Prime Minister. After the election Ingraham resigned as leader of the FNM. Governor-General Sir Arthur Foulkes retired on 8 July 2014 and was succeeded by Dame Marguerite Pindling, the widow of the country’s first Prime Minister, Sir Lynden Pindling. Local government Ministry: Agriculture, Marine Resources and Local Government Local government is provided for by the Local Government Act 1996 and not by the constitution. The Ministry of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Local Government is responsible for local government. Outside Nassau, which comes under the aegis of central government, the country comprises 32 districts for the purpose of local government, 19 unitary districts and 13 two-tier districts, each of which comprises a number of town areas. Local elections are held every three years. The districts do not have revenue-raising powers; they receive transfers from national government. District councils are responsible for hospitals and clinics, the supply of public potable water by standpipes, the upkeep of state school and other government buildings, and the town committees responsible for general health and sanitation. Further information Government of The Bahamas: www.bahamas.gov.bs Commonwealth Secretariat: www.thecommonwealth.org Commonwealth Governance: www.commonwealthgovernance.org Governance institutions Central Bank of The Bahamas: www.centralbankbahamas.com Ministry of Finance: www.bahamas.gov.bs/finance Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Legal Affairs: www.bahamas.gov.bs/attorneygeneral Securities Commission of The Bahamas: www.scb.gov.bs Supreme Court: www.bahamassupremecourt.gov.bs The Bahamas Maritime Authority: www.bahamasmaritime.com
CEP template 2012
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