Question

Discuss three demerits of the First-Past-the-Post system.

Explain one drawback of First Past the Post System.

Answer 1

1. Minority Rule: A candidate can win without getting a majority (50% and above) of the votes. This means the winner may not truly represent the will of the majority.
2. Wasted Votes: Votes given to losing candidates do not count, leading to many votes being wasted. This can discourage voters and lead to lower representation.
3. Discourages Smaller Parties: FPTP favors larger, well-established parties. Smaller or regional parties may find it difficult to win seats even with a good share of the vote.