UPSC Prelims 1995 · General Studies
Question 5: Polity and Governance
Consider the table given below providing some details of the results of the election to the Karnataka State Legislative Assembly held in December, 1994. In terms of electoral analysis, the voter-seat distortion is to be explained as the result of the adoption of the
AnswerThe answer is (c).
In the first-past-the-post system, the candidate with the most votes in a single-member constituency wins, even without a majority. Votes cast for losing candidates count for nothing, so a party's share of seats can differ greatly from its share of votes, especially when many parties split the vote. Proportional systems such as the Hare system keep seats close to vote shares. Remember: first-past-the-post gives voter-seat distortion; proportional representation reduces it.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) The Hare system is a proportional method that keeps seats close to vote shares, so it would not cause large distortion.
- (b) Cumulative voting lets a voter pile several votes on one candidate; India does not use it.
- (c) Right: simple plurality in single-member seats lets seat shares drift far from vote shares.
- (d) Plural voting gives some voters extra votes; India follows one person, one vote.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1995, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.