WAEC Government 2012 Theory — Question 3

Model answer

The functions performed by the legislature are as follows: I. Confirmation of appointments made by the executive. II. Law-making: Legislatures all over the world make laws for the good governance and general welfare of the state. The legislature can repeal, alter, or add to the provisions of existing laws and make them applicable to changing times. III. Representation: The legislature plays an important representative role by providing the link between the people and the government. Members of legislature are elected by the people from various constituencies to represent them in the national parliament. IV. Constitutional amendment: The legislature has some powers in the making and amendment of their nation's constitutions. V. Oversight function: The legislature has the power to check the powers of the executive through the role they play in scrutinizing the performance of agencies of the executive. VI. Removal of the executive: The legislature also has the power to remove the head of the executive for gross-misconduct. In Presidential systems, the president can be removed by the legislature through impeachment while in parliamentary systems, the Prime-minister can be removed through vote of no confidence. LIMITATIONS OF THE LEGISLATURE I. One of the limitations to the powers of the legislature is the inability to cope with the increasing governmental functions because of its large size and limited time to make decisions on issues. II. The need for the exercise of emergency powers by the executive limits the powers of the legislature. During periods of emergencies, it becomes difficult for the legislature to meet and make decisions. III. The legislature as a body of people is often composed of people who lack expert knowledge on technical issue. In order to make laws on technical subjects, there is the need on the part of the legislature to consult with experts or delegate law making powers to bodies under the executive.