2008 - JAMB Government Past Questions and Answers - page 5

Franchise the right that enables citizens to express their electoral preferences.

It should be noted that there are two types of franchise which are as follows:

1. Restricted Franchise or Limited Franchise

2. Unlimited Franchise or Universal Adult Suffrage.

Membership of a society is voluntary.

Society could include any of the multiplicity of groups, units or organizations found among men. e.g. Society of Friends, Society for the Advancement of Human Rights, Clubs, Fraternities, Criminal Groups, Professional Organizations, Families, Kinship Groups and Clusters of Friends. According to Barker (1928), '' The area of society is voluntary cooperation, its energy is goodwill and its method is elasticity.''

Equality before the law is a component of the Rule of Law.

The Rule is law meas supremacy and predominance of law. It embodies the following principles:

1. The Law is Supreme: This means that every citizen of a country shall not be exposed to the arbitrary will of the ruler.

2. Equality Before The Law: This maintains that every citizen is subject to the same law. There should be no laws for the rulers and another for the ruled. Every citizen is equal before the law irrespective of status, position, etc.

3. Fundamental Human Rights: The inalienable rights of the citizens as stipulated by the constitution must be protected and respected.

Nigeria is an example of a country that operates a bicameral legislature:

Bicameral legislature refers to a legislature with two legislative houses or bodies. It is a legislature with two chambers, the senate and the House of Representatives.

Examples of some countries with Bicameral Legislature:

1. Britain

2. Nigeria

3. United States of America (USA)

4. Canada

5. India

6. Australia.

An institution that transforms a myriad of demands into a more manageable proposal is the Government.

Government exercises political power on behalf of the citizens.

Some of the functions which the government perform on behalf of the citizens include:

1. Law Making

2. Maintenance of Law and Order

3. Defence of the Country

4. Protection of Lives and Property

5. Administering of Justice

6. Provision of Social Services

7. Provision of Employment Opportunities.

The citizenship of a country can be acquired by an alien through naturalization.

To accept a foreigner as a member of any community in say Nigeria, such a foreigner must apply to the President for certificate of naturalization. The President may approve that, after making sure that the applicant is of good behaviour, is of full age and capacity, and he really desires to be domiciled in Nigeria.