Chapter 4 - The Governor General
In This Chapter
The Bahamas must have a Governor General who represents the King. The Governor General is appointed by the King and can be removed at anytime by the King.
If the Office of the Governor General is vacant, the King can appoint a capable person or the Chief Justice can serve in the office. If the King does not appoint anyone and the Chief Justice is away the President of the Senate can perform the Governor General's duties.
If the Governor General is out of the country or ill, the Prime Minister can choose a deputy Governor General to serve for a specified amount of time. The duties of the deputy can be specified and the deputy must follow any instructions given by the Governor General. Actions performed by the Deputy cannot be questioned in court. The actual Governor General will still have all of their power and the deputy can be removed at any time.
Governor General Staff
Parliament decides the positions and salaries of the Governor General's staff and these people will be paid out of the public purse. The Governor General has full control over who to put in the positions and any disciplinary actions necessary. Staff members of the Governor General are considered "public officers".
If the Governor General chooses a public officer to be on their staff, the person will not perform the duties of their previous office. Any decisions or disciplinary actions made by the Governor General cannot effect the person's previous position. The Public Service Commission can request that a staff member of the Governor General leave in order to fill a position in the public service, but the Governor General can deny the request.
The Governor General will keep the Public Seal for use when necessary.
The Governor General must take an oath before entering office.
