First-PastThe-Post
(FPTP)
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It promotes a high level of
accountability
and
representation within the
system, which allows for
balance of power between the
voters and the parties.
It promotes democracy at
grassroots level.
It allows for better ethnic and
geographical representation
and is easy to understand.
It prevents party proliferation.
It
encourages
stable
government, especially under
two-party systems.
It requires political parties to
appeal to the nation as a
whole.
Allows
independent
candidates
to
contest
elections in their own right.
It is cheap to run and simple to
understand.
Doesn’t take long to count
results
It is a good measure of
popular support in-between
elections.
Allows floor crossing.
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Mixed
Member
Proportional
system
(MMP)
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It enhances democracy.
It enhances inclusivity.
It enables power sharing at
the legislative level.
It promotes reconciliation and
tolerance.
It provides high possibility for
gender balance in the
legislature.
It encourages party coalition.
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It excludes minorities where
there are majority groups
within the society.
It is weak in representation of
women in parliament.
It over represents one party
(i.e.)
promote
minority
government).
It gives rise to political conflict
because of legitimacy problem.
It allows for manipulation and
limitation
of
electoral
constituencies.
It is prone to intimidation of
candidates and is a threat to
activism.
Levels of discontent are high
resulting in instability
Brings about extreme levels of
hostility among the contestants
because the stakes are high
both for those who want to
remain in control and for those
who want to wrestle power
away from the ruling party.
Tends to generate apathy
among the electorate.
Governments
may
not
represent the voter’s choice.
One-party parliament.
Vote wastage
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It is too complicated, which
makes it more difficult to
understand.
It is not a familiar system in
Africa.
It is too dependent on political
will and commitment for
implementation.
It is a very expensive model
when compared to FPTP.
It promotes the proliferation of
political parties.
It does not eliminate the need
for by-elections.
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Need for quota for
minority
groups,
disabled, women and
other
marginalised
groups
within
the
society.
Provision of additional
seats to best losers to
ensure
better
representation.
Creation of a system of
multiple
member
constituency – one vote
per voter.
Establishment
of
independent
delimitation
commission in wide
consultation with all
electoral stakeholders.
Introduction
of
minimum standards for
parliamentary reforms.
Need to develop better
civic
and
voter
education programmes
to improve the power of
the electorate.
Decentralisation
of
power at the local level
to improve political
representation.
Extensive voter and civic
education.
Sustained
inter-party
dialogue.
Development
of
a
culture of tolerance and
compromise.
Development
of
political
will
and
commitment.