Election process and voting system P3.docx

Tomasz Andrykowski                                                                                                                               Unit 1 P3

Election Process and Voting System.

Categories of Voting System:                     Voting System:

General Election- First Past The Post (FPTP).
General elections are held every five years, although not all Parliaments run for the whole five years period. Members of Parliament are elected from a choice of candidates by a simple majority system in which each person casts one vote. The candidate with the most votes then becomes MP for that constituency. Candidates may be from a political party registered with the electoral Commission or they may stand as an independent rather than represent a registered party. Most voting takes place in polling station but anyone eligible to vote can apply for a postal vote. General election uses the first past the post system. Advantages of using FPTP system:
- ballot papers are easy to understand,
- counting of ballot papers is fast and accurate,
- it allows a new government to take control very quickly,
- this voting system gives a clear mandate,
- stable and legitimate political system,
- close and direct link between the MP and constituency,
- this is very cheap and easy way o hold on the election.
The disadvantages of using FPTP system:
- the lack of choice,
- government may not represent the will of the people,
- voters can feel that their vote is wasted,
- more people can vote against a candidate, but person is still elected.

By Election- Supplementary Vote (SV).

A seat becomes vacant during the lifetime of a Parliament either when a MP resigns from Parliament, e.g. to take up a job which by law cannot be done by an MP, or because an MP has died. The law also allows a seat to be declared vacant because of a Member’s bankruptcy, mental illness or conviction for a serious criminal offence. A By-Election does not automatically take place if an MP changes political party. Until a new MP is elected, constituency matters are usually handled by an MP of the same party in a neighbouring constituency. By-Election uses supplementary vote system. The advantages of using SV system:
- strong bond between representative and constituency,
- removes issues of wasted votes,
- less time consuming that for example Alternative Vote (AV).
And the disadvantages of using SV system:
- does not give parties proportions of seats their votes have earned,
- does not change issues of under representation,
- time consuming and complex.

European Election- Single Transferable Vote (STV).
European Election uses single transferable vote system. The advantages of using STV:
- power is in the hand of the voters,
- wide choice of candidates,
- reflects the views of voters,
- no wasted votes,
- voters can rank in preference rather than party allegiance, gender or ethnicity,
- very simply procedure,
- small parties will benefit.
The disadvantages of using STV system:
- links between representatives and constituency has gone,
- leads to weak coalition governments,
- voters have no say in which individuals are chosen,
- favours big parties,
- powers is in the hands of the party leadership.

Who Can Stand?

ü     At least 21.

ü     Be British, Commonwealth or Republic of Ireland.

ü     Resident in the UK.

ü     Cannot stand for election if serving sentence under 12 months.

ü     Nominated by local electors.

ü     Need to be authorisation by party.

ü     Pay £500 deposit, which is returnable if gets 5% of vote.

Who Can Vote?

ü     Must be 18.

ü     Certain conditions must be met.

ü     Individuals registered on the electoral register.

ü     British or Commonwealth citizen or an Irish citizen, resident in the UK.

ü     Not a convicted prisoner.


 

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