Observation

This was another popular question and the candidates’ performance was average. They view the question as the features of political parties instead of the factors which make political parties indispensable institutions in a democracy. The candidates were expected to write the following points as answers to the question.

1. Interest aggregation
2. Interest articulation
3. Recruitment of political leaders
4. Political socialization
5. Political education/enlightenment
6. Training ground for future political leaders
7. Serve as watchdogs over government activities
8. Present machinery for the running of government
9. Provide alternative government and policies
10. Serve as a tool for national development and integration
11. Serve as a link between the government and the people
12. Sponsor candidates for elections
13. Provide employment opportunities for people
14. Propose programmes for national development
15. Encourage peaceful change of government
16. Encourage political participation
17. Provide ideological direction for the state
18. Serve as one of the pillars of democracy
19. Provide welfare services for their members