IFES Election Guide - Country Profile: Pitcairn Islands

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Region

Pitcairn Islands
Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno Islands
Region: Asia & Pacific

Description of government structure:

Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II *
Head of Government: Governor Mike WARREN
Assembly: Pitcairn Islands has a unicameral Island Council with 10 seats.

* The Queen is represented by UK High Commissioner to New Zealand and Governor (nonresident) of the Pitcairn Islands Victoria M. TREADELL

Description of electoral system:

The Queen is the hereditary head of state.
The Governor is elected by plurality vote to serve a 3-year term.
In the Island Council, 4 members are elected by single non-transferable vote to serve 1-year terms and 2 members are filled ex officio.***

*** 4 members are elected by single non-transferable vote, 2 members sit ex officio (the Mayor and the Chairman of the Island Council, both of whom are directly elected), 1 is nominated by the four elected members and the Council Chairman, 2 are appointed by the colonial governor, and 1 is reserved for a commissioner lasing between the governor and the Council. Apart from the Mayor, who serves a three-year term, and the Island Secretary, whose term is indefinite, all councilors serve one-year terms.