Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term - Senior Secondary 1

Types of electoral system

Get it on Google Play
Get it on the Apple App Store
  1. Home
  2. Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term
  3. Senior Secondary 1
  4. Types of electoral system

Term: 3rd Term

Week: 11

Class: Senior Secondary School 1

Age: 15 years

Duration: 40 minutes of 2 periods each

Date:       

Subject:      Government

Topic:-       Types of electoral system

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES: At the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to

  1. Mention and explain the types of electoral system
  2. State the characteristics of each type of electoral system
  3. Highlight the advantages and disadvantages of proportional representation

 INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES: Identification, explanation, questions and answers, demonstration, videos from source

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS: Videos, loud speaker, textbook, pictures

INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES

PERIOD 1-2

PRESENTATION

TEACHER’S ACTIVITY

STUDENT’S ACTIVITY

STEP 1

INTRODUCTION

The teacher reviews the previous lesson on suffrage/franchise

Students pay attention

STEP 2

EXPLANATION

He mentions and explains the types of electoral system

 

Students pay attention and participates

STEP 3

DEMONSTRATION

He states the characteristics of each types of electoral system. He highlights the advantages and disadvantages of proportional representation

Students pay attention and participate

STEP 4

NOTE TAKING

The teacher writes a summarized note on the board

The students copy the note in their books

 

NOTE

TYPES OF ELECTORAL SYSTEM

An electoral system may be defined as a process or method through which the people of a given country elect their representatives into different political offices or positions in government. It also includes the conditions and processes for the nomination of candidates for elective posts including procedure and rules of election.

 

TYPES OF ELECTORAL SYSTEM

  1. Single-member Constituency and Single vote: This system is referred to as “first past the post” or simple majority system. A candidate who  has the highest number of votes cast win the election, Britain, USA, Canada e.t.c. are examples of this system
  2. Single Member and Second ballot: Failure of any candidate to receive absolute majority at the first ballot, a second one is held with the weaker candidates either choosing or being required to retire e.g France
  3. Single member with Preferential vote: This system allows the electorate to place the candidate in order of preference. The votes of the weaker candidates being distributed to the stronger ones according to second, third e.t.c
  4. Proportional Representation: The essence of proportional representation is to allocate seats in proportion to the votes cast in multi-member constituencies. There are two types of proportional representative. These are:
  • The List System: The electorate votes for a list of candidates presented by a political party and each party wins the number of seats in that party list.
  • Single Transferable vote: All the candidates in a multi-member constituency are marked in order of preference by the voters. After counting the votes, an electoral quota is established i.e. the minimum number of votes needed by a candidate to win one of the seat, the surplus votes are redistributed to other candidates according to the voters of preference

 

CHARACTERISTICS OF AN ELECTORAL SYSTEM

  1. An independent and impartial electoral body should be put in place
  2. There should be regular or periodic elections as stipulated in the constitution. This will help to eliminate any president who intends to perpetuate himself in power
  3. It is important for the delimitation of the country into constituencies
  4. Qualified adult citizens should exercise their right of voting
  5. Without fear of molestation, intimidation and victimization voting should be conducted
  6. Counting of votes: This should be made public and with immediate release of results
  7. The people should be properly educated about their political rights, elections and about the political system e.t.c

 

MERITS OF PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION

  1. Proportional Representation: The proper consideration of each vote cast, making the notion ‘one man, one vote, one value’ a reality.
  2. It is democratic
  3. Equal Right: proportional representative permits all seat to be given equal weight
  4. It is a truly representative government: the system ensures a truly representative government
  5. It permits free expression of individual opinion

 

DEMERITS OF PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION

  1. Weak Government: Since each state or party is represented according to its population, a weak government may be produced
  2. Proportional Representation is based on false assumption
  3. It is difficult and seen as a complex electoral system
  4. Many splinter groups may emerge in the system
  5. It reduces party discipline

 

EVALUATION:    1. Define an electoral system

  1. Mention and explain the types of electoral systems
  2. State four characteristics of electoral system
  3. Outline three advantages and disadvantages of proportional representation

CLASSWORK: As in evaluation

CONCLUSION: The teacher commends the students positively