06/11/2023, 17:13 MIXED MEMBER PROPORTIONAL SYSTEM AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE INDIAN ELECTORAL SYSTEM on JSTOR

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JOURNAL ARTICLE
This is a preview. Log in through your library. MIXED MEMBER
PROPORTIONAL SYSTEM
AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO
THE INDIAN ELECTORAL
SYSTEM
T.M. Joseph
The Indian Journal of Political Science
Vol. 69, No. 1 (JAN. - MAR., 2008), pp. 183-190 (8 pages)
Published By: Indian Political Science Association

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06/11/2023, 17:13 MIXED MEMBER PROPORTIONAL SYSTEM AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE INDIAN ELECTORAL SYSTEM on JSTOR

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Abstract For independent researchers
The present paper looks into the unrepresentative character of the existing first-
pastthe-post' (FPTP) system in India and suggests an alternative model so that our
democracy can be made more representative and meaningful. The FPTP system of
election results in the victory of a candidate with a minority (less than 50% of votes
polled) of votes which enables the candidate who gets the most votes (need not be
a majority of total votes polled) to win an election in a multi-cornered contest. This
implies that only a minority of voters who have voted for the victorious candidate
get any representation at all. The voters (often a majority) who voted for the
defeated candidates go unrepresented. It means that they have wasted their votes.
At the national level, this phenomenon leads to a disproportionality between the
percentage of votes polled by political parties and the number of seats won by
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06/11/2023, 17:13 MIXED MEMBER PROPORTIONAL SYSTEM AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE INDIAN ELECTORAL SYSTEM on JSTOR

parties. In order to correct this drawback in the present Indian system, the Mixed
Journal Information
The Indian Journal of Political Science is one of the most reputed refereed journals
of Political Science at international level and the foremost journal of the discipline
in India. A quarterly publication, the journal reflects the intellectual tradition and
dedication of its parent body, the Indian Political Science Association
(IPSA),toward the advancement of political science, scientific study of politics, and
dissemination of knowledge through rigorous political inquiry.
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