FPTP System Class 11 Polity Notes

FPTP System Class 11 Notes: Achieving success in CBSE exams requires a clear understanding of Political Science concepts. Thus, Class 11 students must obtain well-structured Political Science Class 11 Notes from experienced teachers. These notes are designed to help students understand the fundamental concepts of Political Science and build a strong foundation for their future studies.

Our Class 11 Political Science Note is based on the NCERT Pattern and the latest syllabus. Take the help of our chapter-wise CBSE class 11th Political Science notes to ace the CBSE class 11 exam.

In this article, we’ll learn about why India chose the First-past-the-post (FPTP) system for its elections and how it has worked for the country.

FPTP System Class 11 Polity Notes

First Past the Post System (FPTP)

The ‘First-Past-The-Post’ (FPTP) system, also known as the simple majority system, is an electoral method used in India for direct elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies.

Here’s how it works:

1. The country is divided into 543 constituencies.
2. Each constituency elects one representative.
3. The candidate who gets the highest number of votes in that constituency wins.
4. Unlike some systems where a candidate needs to win a majority of votes, in FPTP, whoever has more votes than all other candidates is declared the winner.
5. This method is also referred to as the Plurality System.

Reasons for adopting the FPTP system by India

Reasons for India adopting the First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) system:

Simple and easy to understand: The FPTP system is straightforward, making it accessible to voters with varying levels of education and political awareness.

Familiarity with the system: The FPTP system has been used historically in India, both during colonial rule and after independence, making it a familiar choice for the country’s electoral process.

Clear choice for voters: FPTP allows voters to directly choose individual candidates rather than just parties, providing clarity in decision-making.

Encourages stable government: FPTP often leads to the formation of a single-party majority government or a stable coalition, which is crucial for effective governance.

Promotes accountability: FPTP holds elected representatives accountable to their constituents, as they need to secure the highest number of votes in their respective constituencies to win elections.

Experience of the FPTP system

The First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) system in India has met the expectations of the constitution makers in several ways:

1. Simplicity and familiarity: FPTP is easy to understand for ordinary voters, contributing to its widespread acceptance and usage.
2. Facilitating majority governments: FPTP has enabled larger political parties to secure clear majorities both at the national and state levels, promoting stable governance.
3. Discouraging narrow identity-based politics: FPTP discourages political parties from solely relying on support from specific castes or communities, promoting broader representation.
4. Encouraging a two-party system: In many cases, FPTP leads to the dominance of two major political parties, providing clarity and consistency in governance.

However, India’s experience with FPTP has some unique features:

• One-party dominance post-independence: Initially, there was a trend of one-party dominance, with a single party enjoying significant electoral success.
• Emergence of multi-party coalitions: Since 1989, India has seen the rise of multi-party coalitions at the national level, leading to diverse political alliances and governance structures.
• Two-party competition in some states: While some states exhibit a two-party competition, India’s party system is characterized by the emergence of coalitions, allowing smaller parties to participate in electoral politics effectively.

Need of Reservation of Constituencies

In the FPTP election system, the candidate with the most votes in a constituency wins. However, this can disadvantage smaller social groups, leading to unequal representation.

India has a history of caste-based discrimination, and in the FPTP system, dominant social groups often win, leaving oppressed groups unrepresented.

Reserved Constituencies:

Reserved constituencies address this issue. In these constituencies, candidates must belong to a specific community or social group for which the seat is reserved.

These reservations ensure proper representation for social groups that may not have enough influence to win in regular constituencies.

The Constitution provides for reservation of seats in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Initially set for 10 years, this provision has been extended until 2030 through constitutional amendments.

The number of reserved seats is proportional to the population of these groups. Currently, out of 543 Lok Sabha seats, 84 are reserved for Scheduled Castes and 47 for Scheduled Tribes.

Process to determine reserved constituencies:

The Delimitation Commission, appointed by the President of India in collaboration with the Election Commission of India, is responsible for deciding reserved constituencies.

Its purpose is to draw boundaries for constituencies across the country and fix a quota of reserved constituencies in each State based on the proportion of Scheduled Castes (SC) or Scheduled Tribes (ST) in that State.

After determining boundaries, the Commission considers population composition in each constituency. For ST constituencies, those with the highest ST population proportion are reserved.

For SC constituencies, the Commission selects areas with a higher SC population and spreads them across different regions of the State since SC population is evenly distributed.

These reserved constituencies may change with each Delimitation exercise. However, the Constitution does not provide similar reservations for other disadvantaged groups.

Conclusion

The first-past-the-post (FPTP) system, also known as the simple majority method, is used in India for direct elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies. In this system, the candidate with the most votes in a constituency wins the election. While FPTP is straightforward, it may not always reflect the true preferences of the electorate, as a candidate can win even if they receive less than half of the total votes cast. For instance, in 2014, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance secured 336 seats despite garnering only 38.5 percent of the overall vote share. Moreover, smaller parties representing specific groups may find it challenging to win under the FPTP system due to its winner-takes-all nature.

FAQs on FPTP System Class 11 Notes

What is the First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) system?

The FPTP system is an electoral method where the candidate with the highest number of votes in a constituency is declared the winner.

How does the FPTP system work in India?

In India, the FPTP system is used for direct elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies. The candidate who receives the most votes in a constituency wins the election.

What are the advantages of the FPTP system?

• It is simple and easy to understand for voters.
• It usually leads to the formation of stable governments.
• It provides a clear mandate to the winning candidate or party.

What are the drawbacks of the FPTP system?

• It may not always result in a fully representative outcome, as winners may not have received a majority of votes.
• Smaller parties may find it difficult to win seats under this system.

Can you give an example of the FPTP system in action?

In the 2014 Indian general elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance won 336 seats in the Lok Sabha despite securing only 38.5% of the total vote share, showcasing the FPTP system’s winner-takes-all nature.