The Proportional Electoral System: Benefits, Disadvantages, and The Way It Can Be Implemented

The proportional electoral system is a way of voting that ensures political parties receive seats in government based on the percentage of votes they get. If a party receives 20% of the votes, it will get 20% of the seats. This system helps smaller parties get represented fairly and reflects the votes of the people more accurately than other systems like "winner-takes-all" methods.

According to a recent survey, out of 170 countries in the world, 91 countries have this type of election system. Proportional voting is held in many countries of the developed world, including Europe ‍and two countries in South Asia.

This article will explain the benefits and disadvantages of the proportional electoral system and how it can be implemented.

What Is the Proportional Electoral System?

In the proportional system, political parties get seats in parliament according to the number of votes they receive. For example, if a party gets half of the votes in the election, they will get half of the seats in parliament. 

Another example is that in a six-seat district, if a party’s candidates win 51 percent of the vote, they would be expected to win three of the six seats — rather than 100 percent.

The above system ensures that every vote must be counted and that even smaller parties can establish their representation in the parliament.

There are two common types of proportional systems:

1. Party-List Proportional Representation(list-PR): Voters choose a party, and the party gets seats based on how many votes it receives. The party then selects the people who will fill those seats.

2. Mixed-Member Proportional Representation (MMP OR MMPR): Voters vote for a candidate in their district and a political party. The final number of seats is adjusted to reflect the percentage of votes each party gets overall.

Benefits of the Proportional Electoral System

Fair Representation: Every vote matters, and even smaller political parties can win seats. This gives voters a better chance to have their opinions represented in the government.

More Political Parties: The system allows more political parties to take part in elections. This creates a wider variety of choices for voters, as they can vote for parties that represent their specific views.

Fewer Wasted Votes: In many systems, if you vote for a candidate who doesn't win, your vote is "wasted." In a proportional system, even losing votes help parties gain seats.

Coalition Governments: Since no single party usually gets a majority of seats, parties need to work together to form coalitions. This encourages compromise and cooperation between different groups.

Better Representation for Minorities and Women: Proportional systems often lead to better inclusion of minority groups and women in politics, as parties seek to appeal to different sections of society.

Less Political Division: With more political parties in the system, there is less extreme division between just two main parties. The system encourages cooperation among multiple parties.

Broad Political Views Represented: All types of political opinions, from conservative to liberal and everything in between, are represented. This prevents any one group from dominating the political landscape.

Disadvantages of the Proportional Electoral System

Unstable Coalitions: Coalition governments, where parties work together to form a majority, can sometimes be weak. If the parties in the coalition disagree, it can lead to instability and new elections.

Extremist Parties Gain Seats: In some cases, very small or extreme political parties can win seats. This can allow radical views to gain influence in the government.

Complicated Voting: Proportional systems can be more difficult to understand for some voters. The process of counting votes and allocating seats is also more complex.

Less Connection with Local Representatives: In some proportional systems, voters may not know who their local representative is because candidates are often chosen from party lists, not specific districts.

Difficult to Form a Majority Government: It can be hard for one party to get enough seats to govern alone, which makes forming a government more complicated and can slow down decision-making.

Slow Decision-Making: With many parties involved in governing, making decisions can take longer because compromises need to be made between coalition partners.

Too Many Small Parties: If many small parties win seats, it can make it hard to form a stable government. This can lead to political confusion and disagreement.

How to Implement the Proportional Electoral System

To put the proportional electoral system in place, here are the key steps:

Change the Law: The government would need to pass new laws that replace the current voting system with a proportional system. This requires agreement from lawmakers.

Choose the Right System: Countries need to decide which type of proportional system to use. They could choose either the party-list system or the mixed-member system, depending on what fits their needs best.

Set a Minimum Threshold: Some systems have a rule that a party must get a certain percentage of the vote to win seats. This prevents too many small or extreme parties from entering parliament.

Create an Independent Election Body: An independent group, like an election commission, should be in charge of running the elections. They make sure the election is fair and transparent.

Educate Voters: Voters need to understand how the new system works. Public education campaigns can teach people how to vote and how the votes will be counted.

Ensure Diversity: The proportional system should ensure that all groups, including women and minorities, are fairly represented in the new political landscape.

Manage Coalitions: Since coalitions will likely form in a proportional system, parties need to learn how to cooperate and govern together effectively.

Gradual Transition: It might be helpful to transition slowly from the old system to the proportional system. This gives people and political parties time to adjust.

Evaluate and Adjust: After the system is in place, it should be reviewed regularly to see if it's working well and if any improvements are needed.

The proportional electoral system is a fair way to represent all voters in a democracy. It allows smaller parties and minority groups to have a voice in the government and reduces wasted votes. However, it can also lead to unstable coalition governments and give extremist parties power. With proper planning, education, and careful management, the proportional system can be a good choice for countries looking to improve their electoral processes.