2002 - JAMB Government Past Questions and Answers - page 2

Proportional representation is a system of allocating seats in the legislature based on total votes in an election.

This system is used to secure representation in the legislation in such a way that each political party get seats in proportion to the percentage of votes cast in favour of a political party. The more the percentage of votes cast in favour of a political party, the more the more the seats will be allocated to it.

This system is used in multi-member constituencies

The principle of separation of powers seems impracticable because power is fused.

There is fusion rather than separation of power between the executive and the legislature in the parliamentary system. This is so as the ministers in this very system belong to both the executive and the legislative organs of the government. The executive organ of government tend to have complete control of the legislative organ and even the judiciary.

A major consequence of proportional representation is that it encourages the proliferation of parties, as the possibility of obtaining separate representation is there for each party no matter how small.

Oligarchy is a form of government which enhances the interest of the ruling few.

This is so as Oligarchy may be defined as government ruled by few privileged and powerful people.

It may also be defined as a small group of people who control the government of a state.

The absence of the rule of law in government will bring about human rights abuse.

This is so as the rule of law refers to the constitutional provision which emphasizes the supremacy of the law, the equality before the law and existence of fundamental human rights.

Centralization of power is the basic feature of a Unitary government.

Centralization is the process by which government power is located in a single central authority. The highest degree of centralization is realized where all powers of government are vested in a central authority. The degree of centralization is highest in a unitary state.

A law passed by the legislature and assented by the executive is an act.

Decree is a law made by the Federal Military Government.

State And People by J.O. Murray (1961) defined Act as the name given to a Bill after it has passed through Parliament and become law. For instance Parliament. Act, 1911 (in British Constitution) which restricted the powers of the House of Lords.

One of the features of a Sovereign state is that it has the capacity to defend itself from external aggression.

It must have supreme power to enable it make and enforce laws A Sovereign State must be free from any form of external control eg. Political, military, economic and social control.

A major way of maintaining confidence in the electoral process is by ensuring that elections are conducted in a free and fair atmosphere. To ensure this, the following should be available.

1. Existence of an independent Electoral Commission.

2. Proper delimination of Constituencies

3. Proper registration and periodic revision of voters' register.

4. Secret voting and absence of victionization and intimidation.

5. One man one vote

6. Public counting of votes, and public declaration of result.

7. Adequate security

8. Opportunity for election petitions

9. Adequate electoral materials

10. Absence of rigging

The principle of checks and balances reinforces separation of powers in order to prevent the emergence of dictatorship.

Anyaele (1995) maintains that the principle of checks and balances prevents the excessive use of powers by the organs of government and that it also prevents the emergence of a dictator.