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Disadvantages of FPTP
Disadvantage
disproportionate representation
Explanation
One significant drawback of the single
plurality system is that it can lead to
disproportionate representation. In this
system, the candidate who receives the most
votes in a constituency wins, even if they do
not secure an absolute majority of the votes.
As a result, a candidate can win a seat with
less than 50% of the votes, leading to a
situation where most voters in a
constituency may not be represented by
their preferred candidate.

wasted votes The single plurality system tends to produce

lack of proportional representation
discourages minority parties
strategic voting
many wasted votes. Wasted votes are those
cast for losing candidates or surplus votes
cast for winning candidates beyond what is
necessary for victory. In this system, votes
for losing candidates do not contribute to
the outcome, which can lead to a sense of
frustration and a perception that some votes
do not count.
The single plurality system does not ensure
proportional representation. It often results
in a mismatch between the proportion of
votes a party receives and the number of
seats it obtains in the legislature. This can
lead to a skewed representation, where some
parties may be overrepresented while others
are underrepresented, making it challenging
for smaller parties or diverse voices to gain
representation.
The single plurality system tends to
discourage the growth and participation of
minority parties. Smaller parties may find it
difficult to win seats or may be marginalized
in the electoral process due to the winner-
takes-all nature of the system. This can
create a lack of political diversity and limit
the choices available to voters.
The single plurality system often
encourages strategic voting, where voters
may not vote for their preferred candidate
but instead vote for a more viable candidate
who has a better chance of winning. This
can lead to a distortion of voters' true
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preferences and undermine the principle of

geographical concentration
genuine representation.
The single plurality system may result in the
concentration of party support in specific
geographical areas. This can lead to
imbalances where certain regions or
communities have a disproportionate
influence on the election outcome, while
others may be marginalized.

Advantages of FPTP
Advantages Explanation
simplicity The single plurality system is relatively
simple to understand and implement. Voters
only need to choose one candidate, and the
candidate with the most votes win the seat.
This simplicity makes it easier for voters to
participate in elections and for results to be
determined quickly.
clear and stable results The winner-takes-all nature of the single
plurality system often leads to clear and
stable results. The candidate who receives
the most votes is directly elected, allowing
for a decisive outcome. This can provide a
sense of certainty and stability in the
electoral process.
accountability The single plurality system can enhance
accountability between constituents and
their elected representatives. Since each
constituency is represented by a single
elected official, voters can directly hold
their representative responsible for their
performance and actions in office.
local representation The system emphasizes local representation
since each constituency elects its own
representative. This can help ensure that the
specific concerns and interests of local
communities are represented in the
legislative body.
facilitate strong and stable governments The single plurality system often produces
governments with a clear majority in the
legislature. This majority can lead to more
decisive decision-making processes and
facilitate the formation of strong and stable
governments capable of implementing their
policy agenda.
encourages broad based parties The winner-takes-all nature of the system
incentivizes political parties to seek broad-
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based support across different regions or

constituencies. This encourages parties to
build broad coalitions and appeal to a wide
range of voters, potentially fostering a sense
of national cohesion.
familiarity and tradition The single plurality system has been widely
used in many countries with a long history
of democratic traditions. Its familiarity and
historical usage can contribute to public
confidence in the electoral process and its
acceptance as a legitimate method of
representation.
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Electoral reform refers to the process of making changes or improvements to the electoral
system and related processes to enhance fairness, representation, accountability, and public
confidence in the democratic process. It involves examining and potentially modifying the
rules, procedures, and structures that govern elections and the way voters elect their
representatives.
Redrawing Constituency Boundaries: One significant area of electoral reform in Malaysia
has been the redrawing of constituency boundaries. This is done to ensure a more equitable
distribution of voters, address malapportionment (where some constituencies have
significantly larger populations than others), and reduce gerrymandering (manipulating
boundaries for political advantage). The process of constituency delimitation is carried out by
the Election Commission, subject to legal provisions and guidelines.

Voter Registration and Identification: Electoral reforms have aimed at improving voter
registration and identification processes in Malaysia. Efforts have been made to modernize
and streamline voter registration systems, increase accessibility, and enhance accuracy. This
includes the implementation of technologies like the MyKad (Malaysia's national
identification card) for voter identification and measures to prevent voter fraud.

Campaign Financing and Spending: Electoral reform in Malaysia has also addressed
campaign financing and spending regulations. Measures have been introduced to promote
transparency in campaign financing, regulate campaign expenditure, and prevent the undue
influence of money in politics. The Election Offences Act governs campaign financing and
sets limits on election expenses.

Election Administration: Electoral reform in Malaysia has sought to improve the

independence, efficiency, and transparency of election administration bodies, particularly the
Election Commission. There have been calls for greater impartiality and depoliticization of
the commission to ensure fair and credible elections. Efforts have been made to enhance
election management processes, training of election officials, and the use of technology to
facilitate the electoral process.

Voting System: Discussions on electoral reform in Malaysia have also included

considerations for alternative voting systems. Proposals for adopting proportional
representation or mixed-member proportional systems have been put forth as potential
alternatives to the current single plurality system, with the aim of achieving greater
proportionality in seat allocation and enhancing representation.

Political Party and Candidate Regulations: Electoral reform has looked at regulations
concerning political parties and candidates. This includes issues such as party registration,
internal party democracy, candidate eligibility criteria, and party finance regulations. The aim
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is to promote transparency, accountability, and a level playing field for political parties and
candidates.
Voter Education and Engagement: Electoral reform efforts in Malaysia have emphasized
the importance of voter education and engagement. Initiatives have been undertaken to
promote civic education, increase voter awareness, and encourage citizens' active
participation in the electoral process.
Advantages of Proportional Representation system
Advantages
Proportional representation
increased representation
reduce wasted votes
enhance its political competition
promotes coalition building and consensus
Explanation
The PR system aims to ensure that the
distribution of seats in a legislative body
reflects the proportion of votes each
political party receives. This results in a
more proportional and accurate
representation of the electorate's
preferences, allowing for a fairer reflection
of the diversity of political views within a
society.
PR systems tend to provide better
representation for smaller political parties
and minority groups. Parties that may not
have sufficient support to win in single-
member constituencies can still secure
representation based on their share of the
vote. This fosters inclusivity and allows for
a broader range of voices and perspectives
to be heard in the legislative body.
Unlike in winner-takes-all systems, PR
systems minimize wasted votes. Votes for
losing candidates or surplus votes beyond
what is needed for victory still contribute to
the overall outcome. This encourages voter
engagement and confidence that their votes
have an impact, regardless of the success of
their preferred candidate.
PR systems often foster a more competitive
political environment. Parties have an
incentive to appeal to a broader range of
voters and work to build coalitions or
alliances to secure a larger share of the vote.
This can lead to more dynamic and issue-
based campaigns, with parties striving to
address the concerns and preferences of
diverse voter groups.
PR systems often result in the formation of
coalition governments, where multiple
parties join forces to govern. This
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encourages cooperation and negotiation

among parties to reach consensus on
policies and decisions. Coalition
governments can foster stability and
inclusivity by considering a wider range of
perspectives.
regional representation PR systems can ensure regional
representation by allowing for the allocation
of seats based on geographical regions. This
can be particularly important in countries
with diverse regions or minority
populations, as it helps to ensure that
different areas have a voice in the legislative
body.
decrease gerrymandering PR systems are less prone to
gerrymandering, as constituency boundaries
have less impact on the overall outcome.
Since seats are allocated proportionally, the
impact of boundary manipulation for
partisan advantage is reduced.

Gerrymandering refers to the manipulation of electoral district boundaries to gain a political

advantage for a particular party or group. It involves deliberately drawing district boundaries
in a way that benefits one political party or incumbent candidates, often by concentrating or
dispersing voters based on their political preferences, demographic characteristics, or
geographic location.
There are two primary types of gerrymandering:
Packing: This involves concentrating voters of a particular political party or demographic
group into a small number of districts to minimize their influence in other districts. By
packing voters together, one party can secure victory in a few districts by overwhelming
majorities, while potentially sacrificing competitiveness in neighbouring districts.
Cracking: Cracking, also known as dilution, involves dispersing voters of a particular
political party or demographic group across multiple districts in a way that diminishes their
overall influence. By spreading out these voters, one party can prevent them from forming a
significant majority in any individual district, thus reducing their ability to elect candidates of
their choice.
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Disadvantages of PR system
Disadvantage
lack of local representation
coalition governments and political
instability
fragmentation of the political landscape
Weakened accountability
potential for extremist parties
Explanation
PR systems often prioritize proportionality
and party representation over individual
constituency representation. As a result,
there may be a diminished sense of direct
connection between constituents and their
elected representatives. Voters may not have
a specific representative to approach for
local concerns or to hold accountable for
their constituency's issues.
PR systems often lead to the formation of
coalition governments, where multiple
parties join forces to govern. While
coalition governments can promote
consensus-building, they can also lead to
political instability and policy compromises.
Differences among coalition partners may
result in difficulties reaching agreements,
leading to frequent government changes and
policy inconsistencies.
PR systems can result in a proliferation of
political parties, including smaller or niche
parties. This fragmentation can make it
challenging for any single party to secure a
governing majority, potentially leading to
political gridlock and difficulty in
implementing policies. It may also result in
parties prioritizing specific interests or
segments of society, which can hinder
broader national decision-making.
In PR systems, individual accountability can
be diluted as elected representatives often
owe their seats to the party's list rather than
direct voter support. This can make it more
challenging for voters to hold specific
representatives accountable for their actions
or decisions. Party loyalty and discipline
may take precedence over individual
representation, reducing the direct link
between elected officials and their
constituents.
PR systems can provide opportunities for
smaller, more extreme parties to gain
representation, especially if there are low
electoral thresholds. This can lead to the
inclusion of parties with radical ideologies
or policies in the legislative body,
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potentially influencing the political

complex ballot and seat allocation
coalition negotiations and compromises
discourse and decision-making process.
PR systems often involve more complex
ballots and seat allocation mechanisms,
which may be challenging for voters to
understand and for election administrators
to administer. Counting and allocating seats
based on proportional formulas can be
mathematically intricate and may require
additional time to determine final results.
Forming a governing coalition in PR
systems typically requires negotiations and
compromises among parties. This can result
in policy compromises that may not fully
reflect the preferences or promises made by
individual parties during election
campaigns. It can lead to a perception of
broken promises or inconsistency between
election platforms and subsequent policy
outcomes.

Principles of Delineating Constituencies in Malaysia

In Malaysia, the principles for delineating constituencies, also known as constituency
delimitation, are guided by several key principles. These principles are outlined in the
Thirteenth Schedule of the Federal Constitution of Malaysia and provide a framework for
ensuring a fair and equitable distribution of electoral boundaries. Here are the main principles
for delineating constituencies in Malaysia:

Equality of Representation: The principle of equality of representation aims to ensure that

the number of voters in each constituency is roughly equal, as far as possible. This principle
helps prevent malapportionment, where some constituencies have significantly larger or
smaller populations than others, ensuring that each vote carries similar weight.

Community of Interest: The principle of community of interest emphasizes the need to take
into account the social, economic, and geographic characteristics of an area and the shared
interests of its residents. It aims to ensure that constituencies are drawn to reflect the common
concerns and aspirations of the local communities. Factors such as cultural, economic,
historical, and geographic considerations are taken into account when delineating boundaries.

Geographical Features and Administrative Boundaries: The principle of geographical

features and administrative boundaries suggests that constituency boundaries should
generally respect existing administrative boundaries and geographic features. This includes
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considerations of state borders, district boundaries, rivers, mountains, and other physical or
natural features.

Compactness: The principle of compactness promotes the drawing of constituency

boundaries in a compact and contiguous manner, aiming to create geographically sensible and
visually clear boundaries. This helps maintain the integrity of communities and prevents the
fragmentation of areas.

Communication and Accessibility: The principle of communication and accessibility

highlights the importance of ensuring that constituencies are designed to facilitate effective
communication between elected representatives and constituents. Accessibility considerations
such as transportation infrastructure, communication networks, and travel time may be taken
into account to ensure reasonable access to representatives.

Urban and Rural Considerations: The principles also recognize the different characteristics
and needs of urban and rural areas. Urban constituencies may have a higher population
density, while rural constituencies may cover larger geographic areas with fewer voters.
Balancing the representation of both urban and rural interests is a consideration in the
delineation process.