The Island Council is the highest governing body on Bonaire. The Island Council determines what needs to be done on Bonaire and oversees the work of the Executive Council. The Island Council is elected by the residents of Bonaire and consists of 9 Island Council members. The Island Council is supported by the Council Secretariat.
The Island Council Members
The following Island Council members have currently been appointed:
Duties of the Island Council
The duties of the Island Council can be divided into three categories:
- forming the representative body;
- Establishing guidelines;
- Overseeing the Executive Council.
How do I become an Island Council member?
Anyone can become an Island Council member. And you don’t have to quit your job or put your studies on hold, because it’s not a full-time position. So in four years, you, too, can help make decisions about Bonaire as an Island Council member. The most common way to become an Island Council member is to join a political group on Bonaire.
Formal Requirements
To be elected as an Island Council member, you must meet a number of requirements. You must be 18 years of age or older and not be disqualified from voting. If you wish to be sworn in as an Island Council member, you must reside on Bonaire. On Bonaire, it is also possible for people with a nationality other than Dutch to serve as Island Council members. Residents who are not Dutch nationals must have lived on Bonaire for at least five consecutive years. Because certain positions are incompatible with serving as an Island Council member, Island Council members are required to disclose any other positions they hold. For example, you cannot be appointed as a civil servant by the Executive Council.
