Government and Politics

Government and Politics of The Bahamas

Government structure, leadership, capital, military, and national symbols of The Bahamas.

Government Structure

Constitutional foundations, branches, parties, and leadership.

Government Type: constitutional parliamentary democracy
Administrative Divisions: 21 districts; Acklins and Crooked Islands, Bimini, Cat Island, Exuma, Freeport, Fresh Creek, Governor's Harbour, Green Turtle Cay, Harbour Island, High Rock, Inagua, Kemps Bay, Long Island, Marsh Harbour, Mayaguana, New Providence, Nichollstown and Berry Islands, Ragged Island, Rock Sound, Sandy Point, San Salvador and Rum Cay
Legal System: based on English common law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of The Bahamas dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 6-9 years
Executive Branch: chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022), represented by Governor General Cynthia A. PRATT (since 1 February 2024) head of government: Prime Minister Philip DAVIS (since 17 September 2021) and Deputy Prime Minister Chester COOPER (since 17 September 2021) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the prime minister's recommendation elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; the prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister
Legislative Branch: Bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (16-member body appointed by the governor general upon the advice of the prime minister and the opposition leader for five-year terms) and the House of Assembly (39 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms); the government may dissolve the Parliament and call elections at any time. Elections: last held on 16 September 2021 (next to be held by September 2026). Election results: percent of vote by party - PLP 56.3%, FNM 35.9%, other 7.8%; seats by party - PLP 32, FNM 7.
Judicial Branch: Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; magistrates courts
Political Parties: Free National Movement or FNM [Tommy TURNQUEST]; Progressive Liberal Party or PLP [Perry CHRISTIE]
Head of State: King CHARLES III, represented by Governor General Cynthia A. PRATT
Head of Government: Prime Minister Philip DAVIS and Deputy Prime Minister Chester COOPER
Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the prime minister’s recommendation
Elections: last held on 16 September 2021 (next to be held by September 2026).
Election Results: Percent of vote by party - PLP 56.3%, FNM 34.3%, other 9.4%; seats by party - PLP 32, FNM 7, independents 0. Results reflect the September 2021 general election, in which the Progressive Liberal Party, led by Philip Davis, won a decisive majority, reclaiming power from the Free National Movement.
Constitution: 10-Jul-73
Independence: 10 July 1973 (from UK)
National Holiday: Independence Day, 10 July (1973)
International Organization Participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.: chief of mission: Ambassador Joshua SEARS chancery: 2220 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 319-2660 FAX: [1] (202) 319-2668 consulate(s) general: Miami, New York
U.S. Diplomatic Representation: chief of mission: Ambassador John D. ROOD embassy: 42 Queen Street, Nassau mailing address: local or express mail address: P. O. Box N-8197, Nassau; Department of State, 3370 Nassau Place, Washington, DC 20521-3370 telephone: [1] (242) 322-1181, 328-2206 (after hours) FAX: [1] (242) 356-0222

Capital City

Seat of government and political history.

Capital City: Nassau
Location: 25 05 N, 77 21 W
Time Difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time)
History: named after William III (1650-1702), king of England, Scotland, and Ireland, who was a member of the House of Nassau

Embassy and Diplomatic Representation

Embassy location and contact details.

U.S. Embassy Nassau 42 Queen Street Telephone: 242-322-1181 Emergency after-hours telephone: 242-357-7004 Facsimile: 242-356-7174

Military

Branches, service obligations, expenditures, and manpower.

Military Branches: Royal Bahamas Defense Force: Land Force, Navy, Air Wing
Service Age and Obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary male and female service; no conscription

National Symbols

Flag, anthem, and other symbols of national identity.

has three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine or aqua blue(top), gold, and aquamarine or aqua blue, with a black equilateral triangle based on the hoist side the bands stand for the sands of the 700 bahamian islands which make up the nation and the waters that surround it. A black triangle that stands for the unity comes in from the left edge of the flag. Some people feel the golden hue symbolized the sun-warmed coasts of the islands

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