South Tarawa is home to the main government administration center for the whole of Kiribati. Most Government Ministries are situated in the main towns Betio, Bairiki and Bikenibeu. The House of Parliament is situated in Ambo. As a sovereign and democratic state Kiribati has a 42 members of Parliament, elected every 4 years. The President is elected among 3-4 candidates nominated by the house of parliament from its ranks. The country is a member of the Commonwealth and adopts the Westminster model of government. North Tarawa and the outer islands are administered by local governments (Island Councils).