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	Kiribati System of Government Information
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Pacific Governments - Kiribati

GOVERNMENT OF KIRIBATI

Country name:

• Republic of Kiribati
• Former name: Gilbert Islands

•  Tarawa

•  Republic - parliamentary democracy
• Former government: British protectorate of Gilbert and Ellice Islands - legislature was High Commissioner of the Western Pacific; subsequently British colony of Gilbert and Ellice Islands -  legislation enacted by Resident Commissioner (later Governor) of Gilbert and Ellice Islands.

• Self rule granted by UK - 1971
• Independence - 12 July 1979 (from UK)
• US relinquished all claims to the sparsely inhabited Phoenix and Line Island groups in a 1979 treaty of friendship with Kiribati.

Constitution:

•   The Constitution of Kiribati - 12 July 1979

•  Acts of the Maneaba Ni Maungatabu; certain British statutes; common law; customary law.

(See Sources of Law for a full overview)

Suffrage:

•  18 years of age, universal

•  English (official), Gilbertese

(i) Executive Branch:

Head of State & Head of Government: The President - President elected by popular vote for a four-year term; note - the House of Assembly chooses the presidential candidates from among their members and then those candidates compete in a general election.

Cabinet: appointed by the president from among the members of the House of Assembly, includes the president, vice president, attorney general, and up to eight other ministers.

(ii) Legislative Branch:

Maneaba Ni Maungatabu: Unicameral House of Assembly - 41 seats; 39 elected by popular vote, one ex officio member, and one nominated to represent Banaba; members serve four-year terms.

(iii) Judicial Branch:

Privy Council (UK); Court of Appeal;, High Court; Magistrates' Courts - judges and magistrates at all levels (other than Privy Council) are appointed by the President.

(See Court System for a full overview)

Regional Government:

3 units: Gilbert Islands, Line Islands, Phoenix Islands
note: in addition, there are 6 districts (Banaba, Central Gilberts, Line Islands, Northern Gilberts, Southern Gilberts, Tarawa) and 21 island councils - one for each of the inhabited islands (Abaiang, Abemama, Aranuka, Arorae, Banaba, Beru, Butaritari, Kanton, Kiritimati, Kuria, Maiana, Makin, Marakei, Nikunau, Nonouti, Onotoa, Tabiteuea, Tabuaeran, Tamana, Tarawa, Teraina)