Electoral systems are the main mechanism of formation of a democratic government.Formation of this mechanism occur for a sufficiently long time.
electoral system - a specific political institutions.They are associated with the device elections.Electoral systems provide certain methods and definitions of the vote totals.In addition, they are associated with the distribution of seats between the parties.
all electoral systems include specific components.Among them we should mention:
- suffrage.This item reflects the system of law on the procedure for the election.It is (in the narrow sense) the political opportunity of the citizen to elect and to be elected.In a broad sense, this concept reflects the content of the relevant laws and other regulations.
- electoral process.This element describes a set of actions that occur during the elections.
in the electoral process provide special stages:
- Preparatory.In the course of this stage of registration and record of the voting, setting the date of the vote.
- Register nominations.
- financing election campaigning.
- voting, the results.
suffrage in a democratic state system provides for mandatory execution of certain principles.These include in particular:
- Equality.This principle points to the existence of equal rights of all deputies in the electoral process, equal financial and other features.In addition, each voter has the same effect on the result of the vote as a whole.
- universality.This principle points to the existence of every able-bodied citizen to participate in elections and be elected.Russian electoral system provides for two qualifications - age and citizenship qualifications.Thus, in the elections as voters can participate citizens of eighteen years, and as elected - with twenty-one years.Other restrictions (on the property status, sex or educational grounds) virtually anywhere in the world do not apply.
- secret ballot.This principle points to the right of the voter not to inform their choice.Thus, it is possible to freely express their will and eliminated the pressure on the voter.
- itself.This principle points to the fact that the citizen to cast their vote directly for the deputy, not the individual (elector), which later will give their vote for the candidate.Elections in the United States, however, this principle is not provided during the presidential elections.
- Competitiveness.This principle reflects the availability of alternatives in the voting process.The voter thus has the right to choose.In addition, no one can create hurdles for other candidates to take part in the vote.
- Publicity.This principle points to the possibility to provide public control over the elections.This principle manifests itself in the presence of independent observers in the areas.
- freedom of choice.We are, in this case, is a voluntary citizen participation in the electoral process.Thus nobody can provide pressure on the person.
- a limited term elections.This principle points to the fact that the electoral process can not be postponed any move, if it does not set a good reason, the relevant legislation.
The main types of electoral systems include:
- majority.In this case, the principle of "majority."Chosen becomes a candidate for whom the greatest number of votes given.
- system of relative majority.In this case, it is considered elected the deputy, who scored a simple majority.At the same time to win can be quite less than half of the votes.
- absolute majority.In this case, it is considered elected the deputy, who scored fifty percent plus one vote.Such a system is typical for presidential elections in Russia and France.
- proportionality.This system provides that advanced by each party gets the number of seats, which is proportional to cast for her vote in the election.
- mixed (majority-proportional) system.The allocation of seats in the present case, elements of majority and proportional elections.
Thus, it becomes clear that the types of electoral systems are many.And understand this issue should not only politicians, but also ordinary citizens.
