In 1790 Bermuda’s first uniform electoral system was introduced. Then, a voter had to be a property owner, white and male. When slavery was abolished in 1834, the voting qualifications became more exclusive, and were based on the value of property owned.
Women were also long denied the opportunity to vote. Though the Woman Suffrage Society had been founded in 1923, it would take the women of Bermuda another 23 years to achieve their goal. In 1944 women gained the right to vote, but once again, this right was bestowed upon female property owners only. In 1968, Bermuda’s new Constitution came into effect which granted universal suffrage to all. Bermuda was at last a true democracy.
Bermuda’s Government is the Westminster model. The Queen is the head and she appoints a Governor, usually a British civil servant, every three years to represent her. The Governor is responsible for the defense, the Police and the internal and external security of these islands.
Today there is a bicameral Legislature and a Cabinet of Ministers headed by the Premier who serves as the Executive. In 2003, the make-up of the Legislature was changed from a 40 member elected House of Assembly to a 36 member House of Assembly. This is the result of a redrawing of constituency boundaries and a move from two representatives per constituency to one. There is also an 11 member Senate, 5 seats appointed by the Premier, 3 by the Opposition and 3 independents appointed by the Governor.
Bermuda is an overseas territory of the United Kingdom with internal self-government. It is represented by the U.K. in diplomatic matters, it is an observer at CARICOM, and participates in the CCC, ICFTU, Interpol (sub-bureau) and the IOC.
The judicial system is British, using British or Commonwealth law. There is a Court of Appeal consisting of 5 senior Judges who hear appeals from the Bermuda Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is presided over by a Chief Justice and several Puisne Judges and hears serious criminal cases, civil cases, divorces and appeals from the Magistrates’ Court which deals with lesser cases. See your Government and Community Blue Pages™
