Government and Politics of Turks and Caicos Islands

Government Type

NA

Administrative Divisions

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Legal System

based on laws of England and Wales, with a few adopted from Jamaica and The Bahamas

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship

see United Kingdom

Executive Branch

chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022), represented by Governor Dileeni DANIEL-SELVARATNAM (since 29 June 2023) head of government: Premier Washington MISICK (since 19 February 2021) cabinet: Cabinet consists of the Premier, no fewer than five and no more than eight other ministers appointed by the Governor on the advice of the Premier, and the Attorney General as an ex officio member elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is appointed premier by the governor

Legislative Branch

Unicameral House of Assembly (21 seats; 15 members popularly elected by popular vote in single-member constituencies, 1 elected Speaker, 1 Attorney General, and 4 appointed members; elected members serve four-year terms) Elections: last held on 19 February 2021 (next to be held in 2025) Election results: percent of vote by party - PNP 59.6%, PDM 40.4%; seats by party - PNP 14, PDM 1; the Progressive National Party won a commanding majority, with Washington Misick becoming Premier

Judicial Branch

Supreme Court

Political Parties

People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Derek H. TAYLOR]; Progressive National Party or PNP [Michael Eugene MISICK]

Head of State

King CHARLES III, represented by Governor Dileeni DANIEL-SELVARATNAM

Head of Government

Premier Washington MISICK

Cabinet

Cabinet consists of the governor, the premier, six ministers appointed by the governor from among the members of the House of Assembly, and the attorney general

Elections

last held on 19 February 2021 (next to be held in 2025)

Election Results

percent of vote by party - PNP 59.6%, PDM 40.4%; seats by party - PNP 14, PDM 1; the Progressive National Party won a commanding majority, with Washington Misick becoming Premier

Constitution

introduced 30 August 1976; suspended in 1986; restored and revised 5 March 1988

Independence

none (overseas territory of the UK)

National Holiday

Constitution Day, 30 August (1976)

International Organization Participation

Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau)

Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.

none (overseas territory of the UK)

U.S. Diplomatic Representation

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Capital City

Grand Turk (Cockburn Town)

Location

21 28 N, 71 08 W

Time Difference

UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

History

named after Sir Francis COCKBURN, who served as governor of the Bahamas from 1837 to 1844

You can reach the Embassy's switchboard at (242) 322-1181 and the American Citizen Services Unit at (242) 328-3496. You may also contact the American Citizens Services Unit by fax at (242) 356-7174, or e-mail at ACSNassau@state.gov > and through the Embassy website. In the event of an after-hours emergency involving an American citizen, please call (242) 357-7004. Local embassy information is available on the U.S. Embassy Nassau website and at the Department of State’s list of embassies and consulates, U.S. Embassy Nassau 42 Queen Street Telephone: 242-322-1181 Emergency after-hours telephone: 242-357-7004 Facsimile: 242-356-7174