Government

Cayman Islands Government - Affordable Car Rental

The Cayman Islands' highest official is the Governor, who is the appointed representative of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. He presides over the Executive Council, the ruling body of the country. The Governor's term of office is four years.

The existing constitution of the Cayman Islands, introduced on August 22, 1972, provides for the government of the Cayman Islands as a British Overseas Territory. It establishes a governing body called the Executive Council, which consists of three official and five elected members, the latter being selected from the 15 elected representatives of the Legislative Assembly.

The three Official Members of Executive Council are civil servants appointed by the Governor to the positions of Chief Secretary, Financial Secretary and Attorney General, and they have seats in the Legislative Assembly.

In February 1994 a constitutional amendment introduced a new ministerial form of government. Our five elected Members of Executive Council are now called Ministers, with portfolio responsibilities assigned by the Governor. In addition, a District Commissioner represents the Governor in the Sister Islands of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.

All official Government offices and Ministries are located in the Government Administration Building ("the Glass House") on Elgin Avenue in George Town.

Elections are held every four years.