Guyana · Government
Government and administration in Guyana
How the executive, legislature and administrative state are organised, and which body is responsible for what.
The three branches
- Executive — President and Cabinet
- The President is head of state and government, drawn from the winning party list.
- Legislative — National Assembly
- Unicameral, 65 members elected by proportional representation.
- Judicial — Judiciary headed by the Chancellor
- The Judicial Service Commission advises on appointments.
- Constitutional commissions — Ethnic Relations, Indigenous Peoples', Women and Gender, Rights of the Child, Human Rights
- Created by the 2000-2003 reforms.
How legislation is made
Bills are read three times in the National Assembly, considered in committee, and assented to by the President, who may withhold assent and return a bill once. Money bills are the executive's initiative. Ordinary amendment of the Constitution needs two-thirds of all elected members; deeply entrenched articles additionally require approval at a referendum.
Enforcement institutions
- Director of Public Prosecutions
- Constitutional office with independent control of criminal proceedings.
- Guyana Police Force
- National force; a Police Complaints Authority handles misconduct.
- Guyana Revenue Authority
- Collects income tax, VAT and customs duties.
Government bodies and regulators
- judicialSupreme Court of Judicature of GuyanaComprises the Court of Appeal and the High Court.
- independentOffice of the Director of Public ProsecutionsIndependent control of criminal prosecutions.
- executiveDeeds and Commercial Registries AuthorityRegisters land, companies and business names.
- executiveGuyana Revenue AuthorityCollects taxes and administers customs.
- executiveCentral Immigration and Passport OfficeIssues passports, visas and residence permits.
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