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	Marshall Islands System of Government Information
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Pacific Governments - Marshall Islands

GOVERNMENT OF MARSHALL ISLANDS

Country name:

• Republic of the Marshall Islands
• Former name: Marshall Islands District (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands)

• Majuro

• Constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 21 October 1986
• Former government: Under US administration as the easternmost part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands

• 21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)

Constitution:

• Constitution of the Marshall Islands - 1 May 1979

Legal system:

• Adopted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws

Suffrage:

• 18 years of age; universal

Official Languages:

• English; also spoken - two major Marshallese dialects from the Malayo-Polynesian family, Japanese

(i) Executive Branch:

Head of State & Head of Government: The President - president elected by Parliament from among its own members for a four-year term.

Cabinet: selected by the President from among the members of Parliament; 

(ii) Legislative Branch:

Parliament: Unicameral Parliament or Nitijela - 33 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms.

Council of Chiefs: is a 12-member body that advises on matters affecting customary law and practice.

(iii) Judicial Branch:

Supreme Court; High Court; District Court; Community Courts; Traditional Courts

(See Court System for a full overview)

Regional Government:

• 33 municipalities; Ailinginae, Ailinglaplap, Ailuk, Arno, Aur, Bikar, Bikini, Bokak, Ebon, Enewetak, Erikub, Jabat, Jaluit, Jemo, Kili, Kwajalein, Lae, Lib, Likiep, Majuro, Maloelap, Mejit, Mili, Namorik, Namu, Rongelap, Rongrik, Toke, Ujae, Ujelang, Utirik, Wotho, Wotje