Constitution of Antigua and Barbuda

Status: Monarchy under Queen Elizabeth II

Elections organisation: Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission

Legislature: Parliament

The constitution was agreed at independence in 1981. The country is a constitutional monarchy which recognises Queen Elizabeth II as Head of State. She is represented by a Governor-General appointed on the advice of the Prime Minister. Government is by parliamentary democracy with a bicameral legislature.
There is a directly elected lower House of Representatives of 17 members for a term of not more than five years (plus speaker and Attorney-General) and an upper Senate of 17 members appointed by the Governor-General: one at his/her own discretion, 11 on the Prime Minister’s recommendation (including one inhabitant of Barbuda), four on that of the leader of the opposition, and one on the recommendation of the Barbuda Council. The latter is responsible for local government on Barbuda, and consists of nine directly elected members. The constitution guarantees individual rights and freedoms.