Proportional Representation System, Meaning, Type, Advantages

The Proportional Representation (PR) System is an electoral system in which representation in the legislature is broadly aligned with the proportion of votes received by political parties or candidates. India uses different electoral systems for different purposes. While the First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) System is used for direct elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, the Proportional Representation System is used mainly for specified indirect elections.

What is the Proportional Representation System?

The Proportional Representation (PR) System is an electoral system in which seats in a legislature are allocated to political parties or candidates broadly in proportion to the votes they receive. It aims to ensure that the distribution of seats more closely reflects the distribution of votes.

Proportional Representation System Types 

The Proportional Representation System mainly operates through two broad methods.

Party List System

Under the Party List System, voters generally vote for a political party rather than an individual candidate. 

• The country may either be treated as a single constituency, as in Israel and the Netherlands, or divided into multi-member constituencies, as in Argentina and Portugal. 
• Before the election, each party prepares a list of candidates, and after votes are counted, seats are allocated to parties broadly in proportion to their vote share. 
• The party then fills the seats it has won by selecting candidates from its declared list.

Single Transferable Vote System

The Single Transferable Vote (STV) System is a form of proportional representation in which voters rank candidates according to their preferences.

• Voters rank candidates as first, second, third and subsequent preferences.
• A candidate must secure a prescribed minimum number of votes, known as the quota, to be elected.
• If a candidate receives votes above the required quota, the surplus votes are transferred according to the next preferences marked by voters.
• If the required number of candidates is not elected, the candidate securing the lowest number of votes is eliminated.
• The votes of the eliminated candidate are transferred to other candidates according to the next preferences marked on the ballot papers.
• The process continues through vote transfers and elimination until all the required seats are filled.

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Proportional Representation System in India

India uses the Proportional Representation (PR) System only for specified indirect elections, while the First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) System is used for direct elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies.

• President: The President is elected through proportional representation by means of Single Transferable Vote (STV) under Article 55.
• Vice-President: The Vice-President is elected through proportional representation by means of Single Transferable Vote (STV) under Article 66.
• Rajya Sabha: Representatives of States are elected through proportional representation by means of Single Transferable Vote (STV) under Article 80.
• State Legislative Councils: Members of State Legislative Councils (Vidhan Parishads) elected by specified electorates are also elected through proportional representation by means of the Single Transferable Vote (STV).

Why Did India Prefer the First-Past-the-Post System?

India adopted the First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) System for direct elections because it was considered simpler and more suitable for India’s parliamentary system and social diversity.

• Simplicity: The First-Past-the-Post System is simple for ordinary voters to understand. The candidate securing the highest number of votes in a constituency is elected.
• Clear voter-representative link: Each constituency elects one representative, enabling voters to know who represents their locality and hold that representative accountable.
• Stable parliamentary government: The FPTP System generally gives the largest party or coalition an advantage in seats, making it easier to secure majority support and form a stable government.
• Suitability for parliamentary system: India’s parliamentary system requires the executive to enjoy majority support in the legislature. A proportional system may distribute seats among several parties without producing a clear majority.
• Social integration: The FPTP System encourages candidates to seek support from different social groups within a constituency, rather than depending entirely on one caste or community.
• Suitability to India’s scale: The Constitution-makers considered the complex proportional system less suitable for a large and diverse country like India.

Difference Between Proportional Representation System and First-Past-the-Post System

The two systems differ mainly in how votes are converted into seats and how representatives are elected.

Advantages of Proportional Representation System

The Proportional Representation System has following advantages: 

• Proportionate representation: A party gets seats in the legislature broadly in proportion to the votes it receives.
• Representation of smaller parties: Smaller political parties can get representation in the legislature according to their share of votes.
• Representation of diverse views: Different political groups and viewpoints get an opportunity to be represented in the legislature.
• Reduced vote-seat disparity: The system reduces the possibility of a party winning a disproportionately large number of seats with a relatively smaller share of votes.
• Suitable for indirect elections: The system is useful for elections where broader representation of different political groups is important, such as elections to the Rajya Sabha.

Limitations of Proportional Representation System

The Proportional Representation System also has certain limitations, particularly in terms of complexity and government formation.

• Complex system: Proportional Representation, especially the Single Transferable Vote System, involves preference voting, quota calculation and transfer of votes, making it more complicated than the First-Past-the-Post System.
• Difficulty in forming a stable government: Since seats are distributed according to vote share, no party may secure a clear majority, which can make government formation more difficult.
• Weaker constituency link: In systems based on party lists, voters may not have one specific representative who represents and is accountable to their locality.
• Encourages community-based parties: In a diverse country, a proportional system may encourage different social or community groups to form separate parties seeking representation at the national level.
• Less suitable for India’s parliamentary system: The Constitution-makers considered a proportional system less suitable for ensuring the stable government required under India’s parliamentary system.