01 If government applies law softly to supporters and harshly to opponents, which principle is affected?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Equal and fair application of law
Explanation: The direct answer is A, Equal and fair application of law. Rule of law requires similar cases to be treated by the same legal standards, not according to political loyalty. Reasoning: the government has supporters and opponents; it applies lenient treatment to supporters but harsh treatment to opponents; the difference is caused by political preference rather than lawful facts; this is selective enforcement, which violates equal and fair application and weakens rule of law. Option A is correct because it states the exact principle affected. Option B, freedom of election symbol, concerns the use or choice of symbols during elections and is not the issue. Option C, number of polling booths, concerns election arrangements and access. Option D, permission for a campaign song, concerns campaign material. None addresses biased law enforcement. Fairness still allows different legal results when facts and evidence genuinely differ, but political support alone cannot justify unequal treatment. Memory cue: same facts, same law; political loyalty is not a legal standard.