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Posted by Chester Morton / Monday 23 April 2018 / No comments
The functions of the Legislature under the 1961 independence constitution of Sierra Leone
THE MAIN FUNCTIONS OF
THE LEGISLATURE UNDER THE 1961 INDEPENDENT CONSTITUTION OF SIERRA LEONE
Introduction
The British colony of
Sierra Leone became independent on 27th April, 1961 with the
introduction of a new constitution. The constitution made provision for the
creation of a House of Legislature to be populated by not less than 60 duly
elected parliamentarians. Some of these were directly elected through a system
of universal adult suffrage and the others, like the chiefs, were elected through
an electoral college.
FUNCTIONS OF THE LEGISLATURE
To
pass laws
One of the main
functions of the Legislature was to pass laws for the maintenance of law and
order in the country. A draft bill was sent to the legislature. It is debated
and taken through all the procedures laid down in parliamentary proceedings and
possibly passed into law.
It
approved the nation’s annual budget
Another function of the Legislature
was to approve the annual budget. The budget contained the details of how
government intended to raise money and spend it in the coming year. Though the
executive had the authority to raise money and spend, it could not do so without
the approval of the Legislature.
Appointees
of government were approved by the Legislature
It was the duty of the
Legislature to approve nominees of the executive arm of the government to head
the various ministries. The list of nominees for appointment was sent to the House
of Legislature to appear before a vetting committee. It was only after they
were approved by the house that the executive could appoint them to their
substantive offices.
Approval
of major government policies
The constitution gave
powers to the Legislature to approve all major policies of government before
they could be implemented. Agreements entered to between the government and any
foreign entity had to be brought before the legislature for perusal and possible
approval.
Monitor
government activities
The Legislature was duty
bound to check the activities of the executive to ensure that they complied with
the rules of their office. The question time in the house, among other measures
was used to achieve this. A minister of could be hauled before the house to
provide answers to any problems going on in his/her ministry.
Check
the misuse of government funds
The Legislature controlled
the use of government funds. In fact, it was their function to protect the
public purse. The Auditor-General was tasked with the duty of presenting
audited accounts of the all the ministries, departments and agencies of
government to parliament annually. Where any anomalies are detected, the
appropriate steps were recommended for the lost monies to be recovered or the
culprits punished or both.
SAMPLE QUESTION(S)
1. What were the
functions of the Legislature under the 1961 independent constitution of Sierra
Leone?
ALSO READ:
The main features of the 1961 independent constitution of Sierra Leone
The functions of the Governor-General under the independent constitution of Sierra Leone
The functions of the Governor-General under the independent constitution of Sierra Leone
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