This was a very popular question.  The very good candidates that attempted the question knew its requirements and gave salient points to score high marks.

However, the weak candidates that answered the question did not distinguish their answers from the general functions of the executive in a presidential system of government, they thereby lost marks.

The overall candidates’ performance was very good.  The candidates were required to include the following points in their answers:

•   as Head of State, he performed ceremonial functions;
•   he appointed the leader of the party that won majority seats in Parliament at the general election as the Prime Minister;
• with the advice of the Prime Minister, he dissolved the House of Representatives after a vote of no confidence had been passed;
• he authorized any member of the Council of Ministers to perform the functions of the Prime Minister when the latter was absent or in-capacitated;
•   he approved all the Prime Minister’s appointments or nominees into political positions;
•   he assented or signed into law all bills passed by the parliament, etc.