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 Legislative Council (19 seats of which 13 are popularly elected; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 24 April 2003 (next to be held in 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - PDM 53.8%, PNP 46.2%; seats by party - PDM 7, PNP 6; note - in by-elections held 7 August 2003, the PNP gained two seats for a majority of 8 seats; PDM now has 5

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

Queen ELIZABETH II

Head of Government

Governor Gordon Wetherell

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

the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch note: following an investigation into allegations of widespread corruption and misconduct within the Turks and Caicos Government, the UK foreign minister directed the governor to bring into effect on 14 August 2009 an Order in Council suspending Ministerial government and the House of Assembly, and imposing direct rule for a period of up to two years

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