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HELENA ANL DEPENDENCIES
The present Constitution came into force on 1 January 1967. This provides for the Government of it Helena to be administered by the Governor in Council. There is also a Legislative Council, consisting of two ex-officio members and 12 elected members.
Council Committees composed of a majority of members of the Legislative Council have been established and charged with general responsibilities for Government departments and with certain executive responsibilities. The Governor's Executive
Council consists of two ex-officio members and the Chairman of the Committees. Although the Legislative Council is encouraged to oversee the activities of the various Government departments, the Governor has reserve powers. The constitution requires the Governor to dissolve the Legislative Council at least every four years.
The dependencies of it Helena are Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. The Governor is the sole legislative and executive body for Ascension and the legislative authority for Tristan da Cunha. In September 1969, an Island Council was established on Tristan by an Ordinance, under which the Administrator is assisted by a Council consisting of three nominated members and eight selected members. The Council's functions are purely advisory.