itical union with
the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by
the US Government, but there are four municipalities at the second order;
Northern Islands, Rota, Saipan, Tinian

Independence: none (commonwealth in political union with the US)

National holiday: Commonwealth Day, 8 January (1978)

Constitution: Covenant Agreement effective 4 November 1986 and the
Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands effective
1 January 1978

Legal system: based on US system, except for customs, wages, immigration
laws, and taxation

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; indigenous inhabitants are US
citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections

Executive branch: chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US
(since 20 January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20
January 2001) head of government: Governor Juan N. BABOUTA (since NA
January 2002) and Lieutenant Governor Diego T. BENEVENTE (since NA
January 2002) cabinet: for four-year terms; governor and lieutenant
governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms;
election last held NA November 2001 (next to be held NA November 2005)
election results: Juan N. BABOUTA (Republican Party) 49%

Legislative branch: + bicameral Legislature consists of the Senate (9
seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year staggered
terms) and the House of Representatives (18 seats; members are elected by
popular vote to serve two-year terms) election results: Senate - percent
of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Republican Party 4, Democratic
Party 3, Reform Party 1, independent 1; House of Representatives -
percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Republican Party 16,
Democratic Party 1, Covenant Party 1 note: the Northern Mariana Islands
does not have a nonvoting delegate in the US Congress; instead, it has
an elected official or "resident representative" located in Washington,
DC; seats by party - Republican Party 1 (Pedro A. TENORIO) elections:
Senate - last held 5 November 2001 (next to be held NA November 2003);
House of Representatives - last held 5 November 2001 (next to be held
NA November 2003)

Judicial branch: Commonwealth Supreme Court; Superior Court; Federal
District Court

Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party [Dr. Carlos S. CAMACHO];
Republican Party [Benigno R. FITIAL]

Political pressure groups and leaders: NA

International