Advantages And Disadvantages Of Electoral System

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Introduction

An electoral system or voting system is a mechanism by voters to make a choice between the options put forward before them. This part of rules is the most controversy about electoral systems for converting votes into seats. According to Hague and Harrop (2001), an election is a competition for office based on a formal expression of preferences by a population. These opinions are then combined into a collective decision about which candidates have won. As Abraham Lincoln said “Election belong to the people. It’s their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters”.

Election can also be defined as a process for voters to elect their representative that they feel the candidate is qualify by voting them. Generally, the office of the President, the Prime Minister and members of parliament are elected. However, there are many more offices that are being elected by the people. …show more content…

Every state set the age of suffrage that gives qualified person the right to vote. Country such as United States, Canada, and Great Britain, the minimum age limit is 18 years old. They are excluded from voting if they committed crimes, mentally incompetent and non-citizen residents such as guest workers.

The most arguments regarding element of an electoral system is the rule for converting votes into seats. There are differences between first past the post and majority rule system that I will compare and contrast. In addition, both do have advantages and disadvantages that will be explained more details in comparing between the electoral systems. Basically, there are two types of electoral system in use in all democracies: Single member district plurality system (SMDP) and proportional representation system (PR) with both have various forms.

First Past The Post