What is the simplest difference between the work of a minister and an official?

Correct answer: Minister gives policy direction and official helps implement it

Direct answer: A. A minister belongs to the political executive and is usually an elected political leader who decides broad policy directions and answers to Parliament. A government official belongs to the permanent executive, usually the civil service, and provides expert administrative assistance, records, implementation, and continuity. The official helps convert approved policies into programmes and services, while the minister gives political leadership and accepts responsibility for the department. A is correct because it states the basic difference without claiming that the two work separately. B is wrong because a minister is not always a judge and an official is not automatically a Member of Parliament. C is wrong because vote counting is mainly an election process and officials do not generally make laws as legislators. D is wrong because both have important government work. The roles can overlap in consultation, but authority and responsibility are not identical. Memory cue: “Minister decides direction; official supports administration and implementation.”