Executive-Legislative Relations June 2013 - May 2015

It has been, argued, and not without any justification, that while the Parliamentary Executive system (which allows for a fusion of legislative and executive powers) allows for efficiency in administration and stability in government, the Presidential system allows for inefficiency in administration and government immobilize. Thus, while the three branches of government in a Presidential system are separate in terms of functions and personnel, they are not to be completely isolated from each other. Each branch is vested with sufficient power of “checks to keep the other branch in proper balance.” Hence, the legislature is empowered to check the excesses of the Chief Executive by refusing to pass his Bills into laws, rejecting some or all his appointees, withholding funds for running the administration or worse still, removing the Chief Executive himself from office through an onerous and complicated process of impeachment. On the other hand, the Chief Executive, who is part of the legislative process, is empowered to check “frivolous” or “reckless” legislation by vetoing the enacted bill though a two - thirds majority by the legislative can override the veto and the offending legislation comes into force. The Courts can moderate the dangers of executive lawlessness and legislative overreach through the process of “judicial review” which renders the unconstitutional acts of the executive and legislative branches null and void, and without any effect whatsoever.