Nauru

The three branches

Head of state and government — President of Nauru

Elected by Parliament from among its members; there is no separate head of state.

Executive — Cabinet

Appointed by the President from Parliament; collectively responsible to it.

Legislative — Parliament of Nauru

Unicameral, 19 members elected from 8 constituencies using the Dowdall counting method, a fractional preferential system used almost nowhere else.

Judicial — Court of Appeal and Supreme Court

Judges are appointed by the President; several sit non-resident.

How legislation is made

Bills receive three readings in the 19-member chamber and are assented to by the President. Ordinary legislation needs a simple majority, but the entrenched provisions of Part XI require a two-thirds majority and, for the most protected articles, approval at a referendum — the barrier that defeated the 2010 reform proposals.

Enforcement institutions

Nauru Police Force

Single national force responsible for all policing and border control.

Department of Justice and Border Control

Administers courts, immigration, and the regional processing framework.

Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions

Conducts prosecutions on indictment.

Public Legal Defender

Statutory office providing criminal defence and some civil representation.