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NORTHERN IRELAND ELECTORAL SYSTEMS
1) FIRST PAST THE POST is used in GENERAL ELECTIONS - To elect M.P's to the British Parliament at Westminster. NI has 18 M.P's
2. SINGLE TRANSFERABLE VOTE (STV) is used for:
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The Good Friday agreement, introduced a ‘power sharing agreement’. This was clearly designed to make sure no one party would be able to dominate a future assembly. (ie NO MAJORITY RULE)
In order to achieve this a new electoral system, STV, was introduced. This would ensure proportionality AND force all communities and political parties to share power in a future government, guaranteeing coalitions.
While this was progressive as an electoral system with an agreed outcome, it was more about getting enemies to work together than a desire for a fairer electoral system.
In order to achieve this a new electoral system, STV, was introduced. This would ensure proportionality AND force all communities and political parties to share power in a future government, guaranteeing coalitions.
While this was progressive as an electoral system with an agreed outcome, it was more about getting enemies to work together than a desire for a fairer electoral system.
WHAT IS SINGLE TRANSFERRABLE VOTE?
EXAMPLE OF STV VOTING BALLOT IN THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
Of course STV would help guarantee proportionality, fairness and coalition government BUT it could not guarantee an agreed formula for sharing power in an Executive or Government.
This was sorted through the use of D'HONDT a complex formula for dividing power based on electoral strength.
This would divide up the key areas of power in an Executive. It was aimed that this would also ensure powersharing by forming a MANDATORY COALITION.
This was sorted through the use of D'HONDT a complex formula for dividing power based on electoral strength.
This would divide up the key areas of power in an Executive. It was aimed that this would also ensure powersharing by forming a MANDATORY COALITION.