The Government and Political System in Bhutan

The government of the Kingdom of Bhutan is Constitutional Monarchy run through the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches. The Executive Branch consists of the Druk Gyalpo, or the King, who is both head of state and head of government. He is assisted by the Royal Advisory Council, the Council of Ministers, and the Royal Secretariat which serves as the intermediary between the King and the Council of Ministers composed of seven members and the representative in each ministry, chaired by the King himself.

The Legislative Branch consists of the National Assembly with 150 members, 100 of whom are representatives of the public, and 50 are monastic representatives nominated to the government by the National Monastic Body in the capital city of Thimphu.

The Judicial Branch is composed of the highest-level court or the Supreme Court of Appeal headed by the King himself, which hears appeals of decisions from the High Court and informal petitions from the citizens; the High Court of six justices, including the Chief Justice, with two elected by the National Assembly, and four appointed by the Druk Gyalpo for 5-year terms; the District Court in each district headed by a magistrate; and the Village Head who adjudicates minor civil disputes among the village residents.

In order to bring the government closer to the people, the national leadership has organized four zones or dzongdey under the local government. These zones or regions are divided into 20 districts or dzongkhag, with a government work force similarly working under the authority of the Royal Civil Service.