government: presidential republic

state of civil and political rights: Free

constitution: 11 March 1981; amended many times, last in 2020; a referendum held on 4 September 2022 to implement a new constitution was defeated by nearly 62% of voters; a second 50-member constitutional council elected in early May 2023 is charged with producing another draft constitution for submission to a national referendum by 17 December 2023

legal system: civil law system influenced by several West European civil legal systems; judicial review of legislative acts by the Constitutional Tribunal; has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration

legislative system: bicameral National Congress (Congreso Nacional) consists of Senate (Senado) and Chamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados)

judicial system: Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (consists of a court president and 20 members or ministros); Constitutional Court (consists of 10 members and is independent of the rest of the judiciary); Elections Qualifying Court (consists of 5 members); Courts of Appeal; oral criminal tribunals; military tribunals; local police courts; specialized tribunals and courts in matters such as family, labor, customs, taxes, and electoral affairs

religion: Roman Catholic 60%, Evangelical 18%, atheist or agnostic 4%, none 17% (2018 est.)

death row:

year of last executions: 0-0-0

death sentences: 0

executions: 0