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British Virgin Islands Government
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| Country name: |
conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
British Virgin Islands
abbreviation:
BVI
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| Dependency status: |
overseas territory of the UK
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| Administrative divisions: |
none (overseas territory of the UK)
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| Independence: |
none (overseas territory of the UK)
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| National holiday: |
Territory Day, 1 July
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| Constitution: |
1 June 1977
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| Legal system: |
English law
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| Suffrage: |
18 years of age; universal
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| Executive branch: |
chief of state:
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Francis J. SAVAGE (since NA)
head of government:
Chief Minister Ralph T. O'NEAL (since 15 May 1995)
cabinet:
Executive Council appointed by the governor from members of the Legislative Council
elections:
none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; chief minister appointed by the governor from among the members of the Legislative Council
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| Legislative branch: |
unicameral Legislative Council (13 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote, one member from each of 9 electoral districts, four at-large members; members serve five-year terms)
elections:
last held 17 May 1999 (next to be held NA 2004)
election results:
percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - VIP 7, CCM 1, NDP 5
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| Judicial branch: |
Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, consisting of the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal (one judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over the High Court); Magistrate's Court; Juvenile Court; Court of Summary Jurisdiction
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| Political parties and leaders: |
Concerned Citizens Movement or CCM [Ethlyn SMITH]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Orlando SMITH]; United Party or UP [Gregory MADURO]; Virgin Islands Party or VIP [Ralph T. O'NEAL]
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| Political pressure groups and leaders: |
NA
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| International organization participation: |
Caricom (associate), CDB, ECLAC (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, OECS (associate), UNESCO (associate)
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| Diplomatic representation in the US: |
none (overseas territory of the UK)
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| Diplomatic representation from the US: |
none (overseas territory of the UK)
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| Flag description: |
blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Virgin Islander coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts a woman flanked on either side by a vertical column of six oil lamps above a scroll bearing the Latin word VIGILATE (Be Watchful)
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