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Difficulty: EasyElectoral Systems and Their Characteristics

What is the defining condition for a candidate to be declared victorious under the First-Past-The-Post electoral system?

  1. A
    Securing more than 50% of the total valid votes cast in the constituency
  2. Obtaining the highest number of votes cast, even if it is less than an absolute majorityAnswer
  3. C
    Winning an absolute majority of votes across at least two-thirds of all electoral wards
  4. D
    Achieving an absolute majority of votes through a compulsory second-round run-off ballot

Answer

Obtaining the highest number of votes cast, even if it is less than an absolute majority
Under the First-Past-The-Post electoral system, the candidate who receives the highest number of valid votes wins the seat, regardless of whether that tally exceeds 50% of the total votes cast.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the primary principle of the First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) system.
FPTP operates on the principle of simple plurality.
Simple plurality determines a winner based on who gets more votes than any single competitor.
2
Compare simple plurality with absolute majority.
An absolute majority requires over 50% of total votes, whereas simple plurality requires only the highest relative tally.
Under FPTP, a candidate winning 35% of the vote can win if all other candidates individually receive less than 35%.

Key Concept

First-Past-The-Post Plurality Principle
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Topics

Electoral Systems and Their Characteristics

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