The ERNA (which is the Dutch abbreviation for Islands Regulation of the Netherlands Antilles) establishes the number of island council members for each respective island territory in the Netherlands Antilles.

The island council represents the entire population of the territory and members must fulfill the requirements as laid down in the constitution.

A person can be elected to the island council if the person is of Dutch nationality, is 21 years of age, is a registered citizen in the island territory of residence and is not disqualified from participating in an election, through a court verdict.

Island council members are elected for a term of four years. In the event that a seat becomes vacant, the person who was sworn in to fill that vacancy, must give up that seat, at the end of the term, during which that seat was occupied.

The island council decides on the admission of newly elected members, after having examined their credentials.

Before assuming their duties, island council members take the oath of office, by making a "declaration" or "affirmation" to the chairperson of the council.

Once sworn into office, the island council member is authorized to make decisions in governing the island territory. This duty becomes most evident to the general public, during public island council meetings, which are usually also carried live by television.

The tasks of the governor as chairman of the island council are established by island ordinance in the rules of order of the island council.