Politics of Saint Helena

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Saint Helena
This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Saint Helena

Governor Michael Clancy Legislative Council Elections and parties
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Politics of Saint Helena takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic dependency, whereby the Governor is the head of government. Saint Helena, an island in the southern Atlantic Ocean, is an internally self-governing overseas territory of the United Kingdom. It has a constitution since 1 January 1989. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the Legislative Council. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. Military defence is the responsibility of the United Kingdom.

1 Executive Branch
2 Legislative Branch
3 Political parties and elections
4 Judicial branch
5 International organization participation

[edit] Executive Branch

Main office holders
Office	Name	Party	Since
Queen	Elizabeth II		6 February 1952
Governor and Commander in Chief	Michael Clancy		October 2004

The Executive Council consists of the governor, two ex officio officers, and six elected members of the Legislative Council. The monarch is hereditary; the governor is appointed by the monarch.

[edit] Legislative Branch

The Legislative Council has 15 members, 12 members elected for a four year termby popular vote and 3 members ex officio.

[edit] Political parties and elections

According to the Saint Helena Herald, at the last elections, June 2005, only non-partisans have been elected. In June 2001 the turnout was 44 %. Saint Helena does not have active political parties. The Saint Helena Labour Party and Saint Helena Progressive Party existed until 1976.