Parliamentary electoral systems represent the methods or rules by which elections are conducted to choose representatives for a parliamentary body. These systems play a significant role in shaping the political landscape of a country, as they determine how political power is distributed and how different political parties and ideologies are represented in the parliament. Indeed, the electoral system influences the behavior of political actors and affects the functioning of the democratic process as a whole.
One of the most common parliamentary electoral systems is the proportional representation (PR) system. In this system, political parties are allocated seats in parliament in proportion to the number of votes they receive in the election. This ensures that all political parties are represented in parliament according to their level of support among the electorate. PR systems can be further classified into two main types: party-list PR and mixed-member PR.
In the party-list PR system, voters cast their ballots for political parties rather than individual candidates. Seats in parliament are then allocated to parties based on the percentage of votes they receive. Some party-list PR systems include a threshold requirement, meaning that parties must exceed a certain percentage of the vote in order to be eligible for seats in parliament. This threshold is meant to prevent the fragmentation of political representation and ensure that only significant parties are represented.
On the other hand, the mixed-member PR system combines elements of both proportional representation and the first-past-the-post (FPTP) system. In this system, voters cast two votes: one for a specific candidate in their constituency and one for a political party. The seats in parliament are then allocated both on a constituency basis, where candidates with the highest number of votes win, and on a party-list basis, where parties are awarded additional seats to ensure proportional representation. This system aims to strike a balance between local representation and proportionality.
Another common parliamentary electoral system is the single-member constituency (SMC) system, also known as the first-past-the-post (FPTP) system. In this system, the country is divided into multiple single-member constituencies, and voters cast their ballots for individual candidates rather than political parties. The candidate with the highest number of votes in each constituency wins the seat in parliament. This system usually leads to a two-party system, where only the candidates from the two major parties have a realistic chance of winning seats. However, it can also lead to a disproportionate representation, where a party can win a majority of seats with less than half of the popular vote.
A variation of the SMC system is the alternative vote (AV) system, also known as instant-runoff voting. In this system, voters rank candidates in order of preference rather than casting a single vote. If no candidate receives an absolute majority of first-preference votes, the candidate with the least number of votes is eliminated, and their votes are redistributed among the remaining candidates based on the voters' second-preference choices. This process continues until a candidate reaches an absolute majority. The AV system aims to ensure that the winning candidate has the support of a majority of voters, even if their first-choice candidate did not win.
In addition to these systems, there are also other variations and combinations of electoral systems used in parliamentary elections around the world. For example, some countries use a mixed-member majoritarian system, which combines elements of both proportional representation and a majoritarian system. This system aims to ensure both proportionality and local representation. Other countries use a single transferable vote (STV) system, where voters rank individual candidates and seats are allocated based on a complex formula that takes into account voters' preferences and choices.
The choice of electoral system is not a trivial matter, as it can have significant political consequences. Different electoral systems can lead to different outcomes in terms of party representation, political competition, and government formation. Moreover, electoral systems can also have an impact on voter behavior, as they may encourage strategic voting or influence voter turnout. Therefore, the design and implementation of parliamentary electoral systems require careful consideration and should take into account the specific context and objectives of each country.
