The correct option is C. Proportional Representation. Detailed Explanation 1. Understanding Proportional Representation (PR): Proportional Representation is an electoral system designed to ensure that the number of seats a political party wins in the legislature is proportional to the number of votes it receives in an election. This means that if a party receives 30% of the votes, it should ideally receive approximately 30% of the seats in the legislature. How PR Works: - Vote Counting: In PR systems, votes are counted in a way that reflects the overall preferences of the electorate. This can be done through various methods, such as party-list systems or single transferable votes. - Seat Allocation: After votes are counted, seats are allocated to parties based on the percentage of votes they received. This can involve complex calculations, but the goal is to ensure that smaller parties have a fair chance of gaining representation, unlike in winner-takes-all systems. 2. Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

• A. First-Past-The-Post (FPTP):
• Explanation: In FPTP, the candidate who receives the most votes in a constituency wins. This system does not account for the overall percentage of votes received by parties across the entire electorate. As a result, a party can win a majority of seats without winning a majority of votes, leading to significant discrepancies between votes received and seats won.
• Example: If Party A wins 40% of the votes but secures 60% of the seats due to concentrated support in certain areas, this illustrates the inefficiency of FPTP in reflecting true voter preferences.
• B. Single Transferable Vote (STV):
• Explanation: While STV is a form of proportional representation, it is more complex and is primarily used in multi-member constituencies. Voters rank candidates in order of preference, and votes are transferred based on these preferences until all seats are filled. Although STV promotes proportionality, it is not as straightforward as the general concept of PR, which encompasses various methods, including STV.
• Comparison: STV is a specific method within the broader category of PR, but the question asks for the system designed to ensure proportional representation overall, making C the more accurate answer.
• D. Majoritarian System:
• Explanation: Majoritarian systems, such as the two-round system or alternative vote, require candidates to achieve a majority (more than 50% of the votes) to win. This often leads to a situation where only two major parties dominate, and smaller parties struggle to gain representation. Like FPTP, majoritarian systems do not ensure that the overall vote distribution translates into proportional representation in the legislature.
• Example: In a majoritarian system, a party could win 55% of the votes and take all the seats, leaving no representation for the remaining 45% of voters.

Summary of Key Points

• Proportional Representation (PR) ensures that legislative seats reflect the overall votes received by each party.
• First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) and Majoritarian Systems can lead to significant discrepancies between votes and seats, favoring larger parties.
• Single Transferable Vote (STV) is a method of PR but is more complex and specific, making it less applicable as a general answer to the question.
• Understanding the differences between these systems is crucial for analyzing electoral fairness and representation.

Revision Summary

• Proportional Representation aligns seats with votes, promoting fair representation.
• FPTP and Majoritarian Systems can distort representation, favoring larger parties.
• STV is a specific PR method but not the only form of proportional representation.
• Recognizing the implications of each electoral system is essential for understanding government representation.