In a single-member parliamentary constituency election conducted under the First-Past-The-Post system, a total of 100,000 valid votes were cast among four candidates:
- Candidate P: 35,000 votes
- Candidate Q: 30,000 votes
- Candidate R: 25,000 votes
- Candidate S: 10,000 votes
Which candidate is officially declared elected, and what principle governs this outcome?
- Candidate P is declared elected because securing a simple plurality (the highest vote count) is sufficient to win under First-Past-The-Post, regardless of not obtaining an absolute majority of over 50,000 votes.Answer
- BNo candidate is declared elected because Candidate P failed to attain an absolute majority of 50% + 1 (50,001 votes), requiring a mandatory run-off election between Candidate P and Candidate Q.
- CCandidates P and Q must form a joint coalition representation because Candidate P fell short of the 50% threshold needed to claim exclusive single-member constituency mandate.
- DCandidate P is declared elected only after the votes of Candidate S are eliminated and redistributed to push Candidate P past the 50,001 vote requirement.
Answer
Candidate P is declared elected because securing a simple plurality (the highest vote count) is sufficient to win under First-Past-The-Post, regardless of not obtaining an absolute majority of over 50,000 votes.
Under the First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) electoral system, a single-member constituency seat is awarded to whichever candidate receives the highest number of votes relative to other candidates (a simple plurality). There is no constitutional requirement for a candidate to reach an absolute majority (over 50% of total votes cast). Candidate P, with 35,000 votes, holds the highest individual vote count and is therefore declared the sole winner.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Simple Plurality vs. Absolute Majority in First-Past-The-Post Electoral Systems
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