In the last ten years, international organizations have given a lot of attention to the role and place of Legislatures/Parliaments as vehicles for the promotion of good governance, accountability, transparency and national development. There is consensus among international organizations and donor agencies that countries with higher levels of good governance tend to also experience greater levels of socio-economic development. As well, it has been recognized that properly functioning legislatures are critical components of a country’s good governance framework, especially if they are able to hold governments accountable for their policies and programs through their oversight functions. Additionally, it has been argued that the quality of a country’s democracy and institutions is greatly improved if its legislatures are functioning properly. The Legislature performs three broad and important functions in a democracy; law making, representation and oversight, which are essential to the promotion and sustenance of democracy, democratic institutions, good governance and accountability. If these roles are played effectively, the legislature can contribute immensely to the strengthening of state institutions, state capability, accountability and responsive governance. In practice, however, many legislatures across the world do not meet these important criteria, as some are mere rubber stamps of executive decisions. This is especially so in emerging democracies, although some developing legislatures make gallant efforts under very difficult circumstances, to represent different interests in society and in the process, hold the executives to account for their actions or inactions.
