The official name of Liberia is the Republic of Liberia. The capital is Monrovia and there are 13 counties. However, the constitution was not ratified until January 1986. Liberia has a dual system. The official law is based on Anglo-American values and is mainly applied to the modern sector.
Customary law is from unwritten tribal practices.
Suffrage is at 18 years of age for both males and females. In Liberia the president is both chief of state and head of government. President Charls Ghankay Taylor has been the president since 1997. The next elections will be held in 2003. The cabinet is appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.