If a powerful official breaks law but escapes punishment which test of rule of law fails?

Correct answer: Equality before law

The direct answer is A: equality before law. The rule of law requires the same law to apply to ordinary citizens and powerful officials. The reasoning is: the official commits a legal violation; the official escapes punishment because of power or position; similar conduct is therefore treated differently; equality before law has failed. Option A is correct because office cannot create immunity from ordinary legal responsibility. Option B, an election slogan, is not a constitutional test of equal legal treatment. Option C, polling holiday, concerns election arrangements and has no connection with punishment. Option D, tax exemption, is a financial policy issue and does not explain unequal enforcement of criminal or general law. A powerful person may have lawful procedural protections, but unlawful privilege or impunity is different. Remember: rule of law means no one is above the law.