FIRST-PAST-THE-POST VOTING

SYSTEM OR PROPORTIONAL
REPRESENTATION: AN ECLIPSE
OF DEMOCRACY
RESEARCH QUESTION

 Whether the FPTP is challenging the concept of democracy

in India?

 Whether proportional representation system is a better

mode of election when compared to FPTP voting system?

 Whether is it possible to have proportional representation

system of voting for MPs and MLAs?

DEMOCRACY AND FPTP
 The authority and influence are with one political party without
any consideration on how small its majority is.
 “Will of the people” becomes a question.
 Polls in Tripura, the BJP secured 36 seats with 43% votes while
the CPI (M) got only 16 seats with 42.7% votes.
 An immense sum of money is utilized for “cash-for-votes”
including violation of norms and use of black money.
 Muscle power as well as criminal link have become an important
aspect to win an election.
 Involvement of cast, religion, region and other narrow
contemplations increases.
 The competition will be between parties and not candidates.
 "the current first-past-the-post criteria in India have outlasted its
purpose“ - T.S. Krishnamurthy, Former chief election
commissioner
COUNTERING CRITICISM ON PROPORTIONAL
REPRESENTATION VOTING SYSTEM

 The smaller parties becomes more powerful in

the ruling coalition.
 The smaller parties also get to have a say on certain
important polices which can sometimes be a better
one than the other parties interest over it.
 Proportional Representation voting system would
increase the expenses for campaigning in large
constituency.
 They could segregate their prospective voters and
campaign for them, which may help them to have a
lower budget. Moreover the corporate sectors must be
allowed to donate money for the election purposes
which will easily tackle this problem.
 It is too Complicated and Confusing
 Now-a-days in India, people are too much into politics
and they are capable of understanding the voting
system even if they feel it’s a bit confusing.
 Increase of Administrative difficulty
 Increase of employment could be a key change for
many young people of India.
PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION OF
VOTING FOR MPS AND MLAS

 Often the number of MP’s or MLA’s in the ruling

side is disproportionate to the number of votes
obtained by the party
 Currently, MP’s has been elected even after 76%
of their constituency voters voted against them.
 The percentage MP’s should be on the basis of
percentage of votes and not on the basis of
majority.
 The voice of the minority will also be heard in the
parliament.
CONCLUSION

 Voters may get the choice to be spoken through

proportional representation.
 Dominating parties will treat the smaller parties
equally.
 The literacy rate has been increased and thus it
is the right time to introduce proportional
representation