Proportional Representation: Meaning, Working, Types & More | UPSC Notes

Proportional Representation is an election system in which the number of seats allocated to each party closely reflects the proportion of total votes cast for that party. This system is more sophisticated than the first-past-the-post (FPTP) system, but it is more proportional. It’s a complicated method that might work in a small country but would be tough to apply in a country like India’s subcontinent.

PR is one of the most important topics for the UPSC IAS Examination.

In this article, we shall discuss in detail Proportional Representation, Types, Significance, Drawbacks, FPTP, Difference between FPTP and PR.

What is Proportional Representation?

Proportional Representation refers to election systems in which electorate divisions are proportionally represented in the elected body. If X% of the electorate supports a political party, that party will win around X% of the seats in the legislature. The foundation of such systems is that all votes, not just a plurality or a simple majority, count toward the conclusion.

Working of Proportional Representation

Proportional Representation (PR) in India operates through a system designed to represent diverse political interests. PR aims to allocate legislative seats proportionally based on the percentage of votes each political party receives.

India primarily uses the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system for PR in Rajya Sabha elections. STV allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference, promoting a fairer distribution of seats.

PR fosters representation of smaller parties, ensuring their voices are heard in the legislative process. The system is instrumental in accommodating the country's linguistic, cultural, and regional diversity. PR helps prevent a concentration of power by fostering a more inclusive political landscape. The effectiveness of PR in India is a subject of ongoing debate and scrutiny in the context of the country's dynamic political environment.

Types of Proportional Representation

The following are the three most popular forms of PR electoral systems:

• Party Lists (PR)
• Single Transferable Vote (STV)
• Proportional representation of mixed-members (MMP)

Types of Proportional Representation
Party Lists (PR)	Single Transferable Vote (STV)	Proportional representation of mixed-members (MMP)
In party-list PR, political parties create candidate lists, which people then vote on. The number of candidates elected from each list is defined as the relative vote for each list. Lists can be “restricted” or “unrestricted,” with accessible lists allowing voters to vote for independent candidates as well as indicating individual candidate choices. Voting districts can range in size from three seats to an entire province or country.	Multi-member districts are used under the single transferable vote (STV) system, with voters casting just one vote but evaluating individual candidates in order (by providing backup preferences). Excess or rejected votes which would otherwise be wasted are transferred to other candidates based on preferences as candidates are elected or removed throughout the count, generating consensus groupings that elect the remaining candidates. STV lets voters vote for independent candidates, cross party lines, and select the most liked of a party’s candidates. Provided the candidate is not elected, voters are aware that their vote will not be wasted if alternative options are put on the ballot.	MMP is also known as the Additional Member System.  In this type of system, voters have two votes: one to elect a single-seat constituency representative and another to elect a political party.

Check out this article Electoral Reforms in India for UPSC Preparation – Polity Notes

Proportional Representation System in India

In India, the Single Transferable Vote is adopted for the election of members to the Rajya Sabha, and state legislative council and for electing the President and the Vice-President.

Check out the article Vice-President of India under Article 63-71 of Part V for UPSC

Election of President

A proportional representation system with a single transferable vote and secret ballot voting is used to elect the President. This mechanism assures that the winning candidate receives an absolute majority of the vote.

• To be declared elected to the post of President, a candidate must receive a certain number of votes.
• The quota of votes is calculated by dividing the total number of valid votes cast by the number of candidates to be elected (in this case, just one candidate is running for President) plus one, then adding one to the quotient.

• Only one ballot paper is issued to each member of the electoral college. The voter must express his preferences by marking 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. against the names of candidates before casting his vote. This means that the voter can select as many candidates as there are in the race.
• In the first phase of voting, the first preference votes are evaluated. In this phase, if a candidate receives the required quota, he is declared elected. Otherwise, the procedure for transferring votes will begin.
• The ballots of the candidate who receives the fewest first-choice votes are invalidated, and his second preference votes are moved to other candidates’ first preference votes. This procedure is repeated until a candidate is chosen.

Check out the article on The President Of India (Article 52-62) Part V – Union Executive for UPSC

Representation of Union Territories

Members of an electoral college were specifically established for the purpose of indirectly electing the MPs of each union territory in the Rajya Sabha. This election will likewise be contested under the proportional representation system, with a single transferable vote. The voters in that state elect the legislators. Candidates must be ranked in order of preference by each voter. A candidate must get a particular number of votes to be declared the winner, as defined by a formula: The votes are tabulated based on the number of first preference votes received by each contender, with the candidate with the most first preference votes receiving the most votes.

If the required number of candidates fails to fulfill the quota after counting all first-choice votes, the candidate with the fewest first-preference votes is removed, and his or her votes are transferred to the candidates stated as second preferences on the ballot papers. This procedure is continued until all of the candidates have been declared elected.

Check out the article on the Difference Between Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha of Indian Parliament for UPSC.

Advantages of Proportional Representation 

It might be stated that PR treats minor parties and independent candidates more fairly. Fewer votes are ‘wasted’ under PR since more people’s choices are considered. For voters, PR may provide more and more representative options. Public relations may boost attendance and diminish disinterest. Although PR rarely results in an outright majority for one party, it may be claimed that it assures better government continuity and needs greater policy unanimity.

Drawbacks of Proportional Representation 

It does not allow for the holding of by-elections. It eliminates personal interactions between citizens and elected officials. It encourages minority perspectives and group interests. It elevates the importance of the political party system while diminishing the importance of the voter. Reduce Accountability to voters

First-Past-The-Post System (FPTP)

Though the Constitution has approved a proportional representation system for the Rajya Sabha, it has not chosen the same method for the Lok Sabha. Instead, it has chosen to elect members to the Lok Sabha using the territorial representation method.

Every member of the legislature represents a geographical area known as a constituency under territorial representation. Each constituency has only one member elected. As a result, a single-member constituency is referred to as such.

A candidate who receives a majority of votes is proclaimed elected under this method. The electorate as a whole is not represented by this simple majority mode of representation. In other words, minorities (small groups) are not adequately represented.

Advantages of FPTP

Voters are more likely to vote for their preferred candidate and desire the party to establish a government. It is pretty intelligent to calculate the polls and determine who has won the most seats in Parliament. As soon as the poll is completed, significant results might be announced quite quickly. 

Electors are not required to choose from long lists of candidates or to prioritise issues that they may not understand. In short, this technique is simple to comprehend, and even a person with limited education can select his preferred leader. Direct relationship between representative and constituency: One representative is elected to represent each constituency under FPTP.

Disadvantages of FPTP

FPTP has the potential to drastically limit voter preference. Parties are not uniform, and they do not speak with one voice. Parties are more like composites of various viewpoints and ideologies. If a voter disagrees with the preferred-party candidate in a particular constituency, he or she has no way of expressing it at the ballot box. FPTP is a political voting system in which voters vote not for the candidate they like best, but against the contender they despise or despise the most.

The EVM is blamed by the majority of the losing leaders. They couldn’t comprehend the reality of their loss. Even though an FPTP election may include multiple candidates on the ballot for a constituency, only the major parties have a realistic possibility of winning, implying that voters have less genuine choice.

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

Difference Between the First-Past-The-Post System and Proportional Representation
FPTP	PR
First Past the Post is a voting system in which voters cast their ballots for the candidate of their choice, with the candidate receiving the most votes wins. The entire country is divided into geographical units known as constituencies. Each constituency elects a single representative. Votes are casted for the candidate.	Proportional Representation is an electoral system in which political parties are assigned seats based on the number of votes they get. Constituencies refer to large geographic areas. One constituency can select one or more representatives. Votes are casted for the party.

Conclusion

Despite the fact that several members of the Constituent Assembly argued for a proportional representation system for Lok Sabha elections, the system was not adopted by the Constitution for two reasons. Voters’ inability to comprehend the system (which is complex) due to the country’s low literacy rate. Unsuitability for the parliamentary government due to the system’s tendency to increase political parties, resulting in government instability.

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Key Takeaways for UPSC Aspirants Concept and Mechanism: Proportional representation, or PR, is the electoral system in which parties win seats in proportion to the number of votes they receive. The PR system makes the gap between the percentage received in terms of votes and the percentage received in terms of seats much smaller compared to that with the first-past-the-post system. Types of PR: List PR: Parties give out lists of candidates and fill up any available seat based on their overall vote share. Single Transferable Vote (STV): The voters rank the candidates with their preference. The preferences are used to distribute seats in the multi-member constituencies. Mixed-Member Proportional Representation (MMPR): The MMPR is a combination of both plurality/majoritarian systems and Proportional Representation. Minority Representation: PR gives far better representation to smaller parties and other small minority groups, as this helps avoid the exclusionist climate of politics. Coalition Governments: PR generally forms coalition governments, as no single party is likely to win an absolute majority, thus fostering a consensus culture. Voter Turnout and Participation: The equal treatment of all votes ensures that, with PR, more people vote and participate with less feeling of alienation from the process. Political Stability and Fragmentation: The PR systems have been equitable, however, simultaneously this multiplicity of parties has resulted in fragmented parliamentary politics and unstable coalition governments. Case Studies: The three countries, namely Germany, New Zealand, and South Africa, will illustrate PR systems in different models. Critics/Challenges: The primary problems associated with PR are the intricacy of voting, multiplicity of parliament leading to fragmented parliaments, and problems in forming stable coalition governments.

We hope all your doubts regarding the Proportional Representation would have been addressed now. Testbook provides study material for various competitive examinations. Ace your UPSC preparation by downloading the Testbook App!