Under the constitution, the president, nominated from among the elected members of the House of Assembly, is limited to three four-year terms. The president does not represent a political party. The constitutional provisions governing the administrations of justice are similar to those in other former British possessions in that the judiciary is free from governmental interference. The judicial branch is made up of the high court and the court of appeal. The presiding judges are appointed by the president.
Local government is through island councils with elected members.
Local affairs are handled in a manner similar to town meetings in colonial America. Island councils make their own estimates of revenue and expenditure and are generally free of central government controls. Traditionally, Kiribati had no formally organized parties. Instead, ad hoc opposition groups tended to coalesce around specific issues. Today, the only recognizable parties are the Maneaban te Mauri Party and the National Progressive Party.