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The Dominican Republic is a representative democracy with national powers divided among independent executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The president appoints the cabinet, executes laws passed by the legislative branch, and is commander in chief of the armed forces. The president and vice president run for office on the same ticket and are elected by direct vote for 4-year terms. Legislative power is exercised by a bicameral congress--the Senate (32 members), and the House of Representatives (150 members). The Dominican Republic has a multi-party political system with national elections every 2 years (alternating between presidential elections and congressional/municipal elections). Presidential elections are held in years evenly divisible by four. Congressional and municipal elections are held in even numbered years not divisible by four. International observers have generally agreed that presidential and congressional elections since 1996 have been free and fair. Elections are supervised by a Central Elections Board of 9 members chosen for a four-year term by the newly elected Senate. Its decisions on electoral matters are final. Under the constitutional reforms negotiated after the 1994 elections, the 16-member Supreme Court of Justice is appointed by a National Judicial Council, which is comprised of the President, the leaders of both houses of Congress, the President of the Supreme Court, and an opposition or non-governing-party member (one other Supreme Court Justice acts as secretary of the Council, a non-voting position.) The Supreme Court has sole jurisdiction over managing the court system and over actions against the president, designated members of his cabinet, and members of Congress. The Supreme Court hears appeals from lower courts and chooses members of lower courts. Each of the 31 provinces is headed by a presidentially appointed governor. Mayors and municipal councils to administer the National District (Santo Domingo) and the 124 municipal districts are elected at the same time as congressional representatives. |
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