<item><hi format=bold>Independence:</hi> 1 October 1978 (from UK)
<item><hi format=bold>National holiday:</hi> Independence Day, 1 October (1978)
<item><hi format=bold>Constitution:</hi> 1 October 1978
<item><hi format=bold>Legal system:</hi> NA
<item><hi format=bold>Suffrage:</hi> 18 years of age; universal
<item><hi format=bold>Executive branch:</hi>
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<item>• <hi format=ital>chief of state:</hi> Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Tomu Malaefono SIONE (since NA 1993)
<item>• <hi format=ital>head of government:</hi> Prime Minister Kamuta LATASI (since 10 December 1993); Deputy Prime Minister Otinielu TAUSI (since 10 December 1993)
<item>• <hi format=ital>cabinet:</hi> Cabinet; appointed by the governor general on recommendation of the prime minister
<item><hi format=bold>Parliament (Palamene):</hi> elections last held 25 November 1993 (next to be held by NA 1997); results—percent of vote NA; seats—(12 total)
<item><hi format=bold>Judicial branch:</hi> High Court
<item><hi format=bold>Political parties and leaders:</hi> none
<item><hi format=bold>Member of:</hi> ACP, AsDB, C (special), ESCAP, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), ITU, SPARTECA, SPC, SPF, UNESCO, UPU, WHO
<item><hi format=bold>Diplomatic representation in US:</hi> Tuvalu has no mission in the US
<item><hi format=bold>Flag:</hi> light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the outer half of the flag represents a map of the country with nine yellow five-pointed stars symbolizing the nine islands