Electoral systems are the main democratic mechanism for the formation of power. The formation of this mechanism has been going on for a rather long time.
Electoral systems are specific political institutions. They are associated with the election device. Electoral systems provide for specific ways of voting and determining the outcome. In addition, they are also related to the distribution of seats between parties.
All electoral systems include certain components. Among them should be noted:
- Suffrage. This element reflects a system of legal norms on the election procedure. This (in the narrow sense) is the political opportunity of a citizen to elect and be elected. In a broad sense, this concept reflects the content of relevant laws and other acts.
- The election process. This element characterizes the complex of actions that are performed during the election.
The election process provides for special stages:
- Preparatory. During this stage, registration and registration of voters, the appointment of a date for voting are carried out.
- Registration, nomination of candidates.
- Election financing, election campaigning.
- Voting, determination of results.
Suffrage in a democratic state system provides for the mandatory implementation of certain principles. These include in particular:
- Equality. This principle indicates the presence of equal rights for all deputies in the election process, equal financial and other opportunities. Moreover, each voter equally affects the result of the vote as a whole.
- Universality. This principle indicates that every capable citizen has the opportunity to participate in elections and be elected. The electoral system of Russia provides for two qualifications - age and qualification of citizenship. Thus, citizens can take part in the elections from eighteen years of age, and from twenty-one years of age as voters. Other restrictions (on property status, gender, or education) practically do not apply anywhere in the world.
- Secret ballot. This principle indicates the right of the voter not to communicate his choice. Thus, it is possible to freely express one's will and pressure on the voter is excluded.
- Immediacy. This principle indicates that the citizen casts his vote directly for the deputy, and not for the person (elector), who will subsequently cast his vote for the candidate. The US electoral system, however, does not include this principle in the presidential election process.
- Competitiveness. This principle reflects the availability of alternatives in the voting process. The voter has the right to choose. In addition, no one may create obstacles for other candidates to vote.
- Publicity. This principle indicates the ability of the public to provide control over the conduct of elections. This principle is manifested in the presence of independent observers at the polling stations.
- Freedom of election. This, in this case, is about the voluntary participation of a citizen in the electoral process. Moreover, no one can put pressure on a person.
- Limited election time. This principle indicates that the electoral process cannot be postponed or postponed, unless for this reason good reasons have been established that are consistent with the law.
The main types of electoral systems include:
- Majority In this case, the principle of "majority" applies. The candidate for whom the largest number of votes is cast is elected.
- The system of relative majority. In this case, the deputy who scored a simple majority is considered elected. At the same time, less than half of the votes can be enough to win.
- The absolute majority. In this case, the deputy is considered elected, who scored fifty percent, plus another vote. Such a system is characteristic of the election of the President of Russia and France.
- Proportional. This system provides that each party nominated receives a number of seats, which is proportional to the votes cast for it.
- A mixed (majority-proportional) system. In the distribution of mandates, in this case, elements of majority and proportional elections are used.
Thus, it becomes clear that there are a lot of types of electoral systems. And to understand this issue should be not only politicians, but also ordinary citizens.