iii. Comparing Proportional Representation and First Past the Post System
|
PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION |
FIRST PAST THE POST SYSTEM |
|
Large geographical areas are demarcated as constituencies. The entire country may be a single constituency (such as Israel or the Netherlands). |
The country is divided into small geographical units called constituencies or districts. |
|
More than one representative may be elected from one constituency. |
Every constituency elects one representative only. |
|
Voters vote for the party instead of for a candidate. |
Voters vote for a candidate and not for a party. |
|
Every party gets seats in the legislature in proportion to the percentage of votes that it gets. |
A party may get more seats than votes in the legislature. |
|
Candidate who wins the elections gets a majority of votes i.e. (50%+1) votes. |
Candidate who wins the election may not get majority (50%+1) votes |
|
Examples: Israel, Netherlands |
Examples: U.K., India |