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	Tuvalu System of Government Information
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Pacific Governments - Tuvalu

GOVERNMENT OF TUVALU

Country name:

• Tuvalu
• Former name: Ellice Islands

• Funafuti

• Constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy; began debating republic status in 1992
• 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.

• 1 October 1978 (from UK)
• In 1974, ethnic differences within the British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands caused the Polynesians of the Ellice Islands to vote for separation from the Micronesians of the Gilbert Islands. In 1975 the Ellice Islands became the separate British colony of Tuvalu.

Constitution:

• The Constitution of Tuvalu - 1 October 1978

Legal system:

• Acts of the Tuvalu Parliament; certain English Acts; common law; customary law

Suffrage:

• 18 years of age; universal

Official Languages:

• Tuvaluan, English

(i) Executive Branch:

Head of State: British monarch - hereditary; Governor General appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.

Head of Government: Prime Minister - Prime minister and Deputy Prime Minister elected by and from the members of Parliament.

Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the Governor General on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.

(ii) Legislative Branch:

Parliament: unicameral Parliament or Fale I Fono, also called House of Assembly - 12 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms.

(iii) Judicial Branch:

Privy Council (UK); Court of Appeal; High Court; Magistrates Courts; Island Courts; Lands Courts; Lands Courts Appeal Panel

(See Court System for a full overview)

Regional Government:

• NA