The civic administration of the city is handled by the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC). Established in 1688, it is the oldest municipal institution in India and the second oldest in the world after London. The GCC is headed by a Mayor, who presides over a council of elected councilors representing the city's various wards (currently 200 wards divided across 15 zones).
As the capital of Tamil Nadu, Chennai is the seat of the state government. Fort St. George houses the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly and the Secretariat. The city's law and order are managed by the Greater Chennai Police, an agency headed by a Police Commissioner.
Politically, Chennai is divided into several parliamentary constituencies that elect representatives to the Lok Sabha (national parliament) and multiple legislative assembly constituencies for the state government.