‘Types of Electoral Systems 1) Simple majority system 2) Absolute majority system 3) Second ballot system run-off system 4) Altemative voting system 5) Proportional representation system 6) Ballot or voting system The Simple Majority System fate with the This system is very simple and itis also referred to as “frst past the post” This is a system in which the can highest number of the total vote cast is declared the winner, no matter the proportion of vote cast during election. Countries that practice this system includes the following, Britain, Canada, Ghana, Nigeria etc. For example if election candidate A, B and C scored 4,800, 4,500 and 700 respectively in an election, candidate Ais declared the winner because he scored the highest number of the total vote cast among all the contestants.Advantages of Simple Majority System 1) Itis very simple to operate as its name implies. 2) It makes it very easy and clear for the election result to be determined. 3) It discourages the formation of Coalition government. 4) It does not encourage the formation of many political parties. Disadvantages of Simple Majority System 1) Itis undemocratic since it neglects the wishes of the majority of the voters. 2) Majority ethnic groups can use their numerical strength to secure a simple majority system at the expenses of a minority group. 3) The system leads to waste of surplus votes of the majority of voters. 4) It encourages election rigging in order to secure the highest number of votes.The Absolute Majority System/ Second Ballot System Another name for this type of electoral system is the second ballot system. This system requires that whoever will be declared winner must secure 50% of the total vote cast. If at the first ballot no candidate gets this majority, a second voting called the second ballot becomes necessary. ‘The candidates with the least number of votes will be withdrawn before the second ballot takes place. One candidate usually obtains an absolute majority of 50%, but when this is not obtained, the candidate with the highest number of votes will be declared the winner. Disadvantages of Absolute Majority/ Second Ballot System 1. Itis very expensive both in time and in money. 2, It leads to voter apathy, voters whose candidate are dropped in the first ballot may not wish to participate subsequently. It can lead to tensions and political violence. 3. The results are unnecessarily delayed if the process requires the second ballot systemAdvantages of Absolute Majority System/ Second Ballot System 1. It encourages the emergence of the winner with the support of the majority of the electorate. 2. Itgives room for elimination of unpopular candidates. 3. It makes it imperative for political parties to credible candidates if they are to win.Alternative Voting System In this system, the electoral commission is to arrange the candidates in their numbers (eg. 1, 2,3, 4, 5) and the electorates are arranged in order of preference. That is to say that the voter will rate the candidates by numbering them in order of his preference The candidate with the highest number of first rating from voters will be declared the winner. Australia is a good ‘example of countries that practice this system of voting.Advantages of Alternative Voting System 1. The system represents the interest of the various groups in the country. 2, It shows a government with a picture of the support from the people. 3. Itis democratic in nature. 4, It avoids waste of votes,Disadvantages of Alternative Voting System 1. It gives room for the formation of many political parties. 2. It is complex and therefore makes it difficult to operate. 3. It gives room for election malpractice 4, Itis very expensiveProportional Representation System This system is a process adopted in electing representative in multiple member constituencies, and it is used to secure representation in the legislature. In the system, every political party gets seats in proportion to the percentage of vote cast. The more the percentage of vote cast secured by a candidate, the more the seats allocated to the party.Advantages of Proportional Representation System 1. It gives a true picture of popular votes. All interest groups in a system are fully represented 2. Both interest of majority and minority are protected 3. Voters have wider choice especially in multiple member constituencies.Disadvantages of Proportional Representation System 1. The multiplicity of political parties may bring about violence in the system 2, The system is prone to political instability. 3, Voters can easily vote blindly in this system. This is as a result of too many political parties that cannot be easily assessed by the people. 4, The system is too expensive to operate.The Ballot or Voting System There are two major ballot or voting system, namely: 1. Secret ballot voting 2. Open ballot system. Secret Ballot System: In this system, the voter casts his vote in an enclosure called pooling booth. He secretly marks the candidate or party of his choice on the ballot paper. In this system, secrecy is guaranteed and a voter can vote whoever he seems fit without intimidation or victimization. Secret ballot is one of the requirements for a free and fair electionOpen or Public Ballot System: Before the 19th century, there was no secret ballot as it operates today. It was the open ballot that was in Vogue. The open ballot involves the electorates either queuing up to be counted openly, or standing behind the candidates of their choice to be counted publicly. The candidate with the highest votes or support is declared the winner. Example of countries that operated this system includes Denmark (until 1901) and the Soviet Union (until 1936). This system is still used in villages to choose officials by a raise of hand. So far, | have explicitly explained and discussed the different types of electoral systems.