Under the present constitution, which came in force in 1967, the country is governed by an executive president who (together with a vice president) is elected by popualr vote for a four year term. The government is appointed by the president. The legislature includes the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, whose members are also elected for four years. In the Senate each department is represented by three senators, for a total of 27. There are 117 seats in the Chamber of deputies.
La Paz is the seat of government and administrative capital. Sucre which preceeded La Paz as capital, is the seat of the Supreme Court and the legal capital.