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The same constituency boundaries are used and voters would elect one person to represent them in parliament, just as we do now. However, rather than marking an 'X' against their preferred candidate, each voter would rank their candidates in an order of preference, putting '1' next to their favorite, a '2' by their second choice and so on. If a candidate receives a majority of first place votes, he or she would be elected just as under the present system. However if no single candidate gets more than 50% of the vote, the second choices for the candidate at the bottom are redistributed. The process is repeated until one candidate gets an absolute majority. The alternative vote is not actually a proportional system, but a majoritarian system. The system is used in the Australian House of Representatives.
- The alternative vote retains the same constituencies and so the bond between members and their constituents is not lost.
- Extreme parties would be unlikely to gain support by AV and coalition governments would be no more likely to arise than they are under First-Past-The-Post.
- All MPs/MLAs would have the support of a majority of their constituents.
- It prevents MPs/MLAs being elected on a minority of the vote
- It removes the need for negative voting. Electors can vote for their first choice of candidate without the fear of wasting their vote.
- Whilst it does ensure than the successful candidate is supported by a majority of his or her constituents, it does not give proportionality to parties or other bodies of opinion, in parliament/assembly. The results could actually be even more distorting than under First-Past-The-Post.
- It also does very little to give a voice to those who have been traditionally under-represented in parliament / assembly.
- There is no transfer of powers from party authority to the voters, and it does not produce a proportional parliament.
For more information:
Telephone Us: 011-46081209, 011-64598338, 91-9891155057, 91-9868340420
Email Us: info@youthforequality.com
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