Papua New Guinea

The three branches

Head of state — The King, represented by the Governor-General

The Governor-General is nominated by Parliament, unusually for a Commonwealth realm.

Executive — National Executive Council led by the Prime Minister

Collectively responsible to Parliament.

Legislative — National Parliament

Unicameral; 118 members — 96 open electorates and 22 provincial seats — elected by limited preferential voting.

Judicial — Supreme and National Courts

The Chief Justice is appointed by the National Executive Council; other judges by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission.

Autonomous region — Autonomous Bougainville Government

Has its own constitution, president and house of representatives.

How legislation is made

Bills pass through three readings in the single chamber and receive the Governor-General's assent. Constitutional amendments must be published in advance, and depending on the provision require an absolute majority, two-thirds or three-quarters of all members, voted on at two sittings at least two months apart. Organic Laws follow the same entrenched process. The Speaker certifies that the constitutional requirements were met, and failure to follow them has led the Supreme Court to strike amendments down.

Enforcement institutions

Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary

National police force; the Constitution requires it to act independently of political direction in operations.

Office of the Public Prosecutor

Conducts indictable prosecutions; independent under section 176.

Independent Commission Against Corruption

Established by the Organic Law on the ICAC 2020 and operational from 2023.

Ombudsman Commission

Enforces the Leadership Code against parliamentarians and senior officials.

Office of the Public Solicitor

Provides free legal representation, mainly in criminal cases.