Which principle ensures that government officials are answerable to elected representatives?

• A. Judicial Review
• B. Collective Responsibility
• C. Separation of Powers
• D. Constitutional Supremacy

Answer: (B)

The principle that ensures government officials are answerable to elected representatives is known as Collective Responsibility. This principle is fundamental in parliamentary systems, where the executive branch derives its legitimacy from the legislature and is collectively responsible to it. It emphasizes that all members of the council of ministers are accountable for the decisions and actions taken by the government as a whole.

In this context, if an action or policy of the government is questioned, it is not just the individual minister who is held accountable but the entire cabinet. This collective accountability ensures that government officials, particularly those in the executive, are directly answerable to the elected representatives in the legislature. Such a mechanism reinforces the notion of democratic governance, where those in power must answer to the representatives of the people, thereby upholding the values of transparency and accountability in government operations.

The other principles, such as Judicial Review, Separation of Powers, and Constitutional Supremacy, play important roles in the functioning of the government and the enforcement of laws but do not specifically target the concept of accountability of officials to elected representatives in a parliamentary context. Judicial Review pertains to the ability of the judiciary to review the constitutionality of legislative and executive actions, while Separation of Powers focuses on the distinct roles and functions of different branches of government