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Where the Queen or sovereign is the head of state in a country, the Governor-General (G-G) of that country represents the sovereign, and most of the powers and authority of the sovereign are delegated to the Governor General. The role of the Governor General is mostly symbolic and ceremonial. The G-G is NOT the head of the Government. The Head of the Government is the Prime Minister. In most Commonwealth Countries, the G-G serves for FIVE YEARS, sometimes extended to seven years for specific reasons. There are some tradition of alternating between genders and ethnic groups.

Some of the duties of the G-G are to: formally summons, prorogues, and dissolves Parliament, gives assent to bills, and exercises other executive functions. After a general election, the G-G calls on the leader of the party winning the most seats to become Prime Minister and to form a government.