Government SS 2 Curriculum Guides – Types of Electoral System (Alternative Voting System) | Advantages and Disadvantages of Alternative Voting System

GOVERNMENT

THEME – POLITICAL PARTIES AND PRESSURE GROUPS AND ELECTION

TOPIC – ELECTORAL PROCESS (TYPES OF ELECTORAL SYSTEMS) 

CLASS – SS 1 

LEARNING AREAS – Types of Electoral System (Alternative Voting System) | Advantages and Disadvantages of Alternative Voting System

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL

1. Textbooks

2. Pictures and charts

3. Electoral materials e.g. ballot box, ballot papers, etc.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. list types of electoral systems.

2. explain the meaning of alternative voting system.

3. discuss the advantages and disadvantages of alternative voting system.

CONTENTS OF THE LESSON

FOCUS LESSONS

ELECTORAL SYSTEM OR ELECTORAL PROCESS 

An electoral system is also known as voting process. It is a set of rules and regulations that determine how elections and referendums are conducted. The whole system includes parties registration, voter registration, political campaign, accreditations, voting and declaration of results and dispute resolution.

TYPES OF ELECTORAL SYSTEM 

The following are types of electoral system,

1. Simple majority system

2. Absolute majority system

3. Second ballot system/run-off system

4. Alternative voting system

5. Proportional representation system

6. Ballot or voting system

7. Direct and Indirect electoral systems

ALTERNATIVE VOTING SYSTEM 

Alternative voting system is also called ranked-choice voting or instant runoff. In this system, Voters are allowed to vote candidates of their choice in order of preference. A candidate that receives a majority of first preference vote is cleared winner of the election. There is no transfer of excess votes

Advantages of Alternative Voting System

1. It is democratic in nature.

2. It avoids waste of votes.

3. It encourages active participation.

4. It represent wider interest.

5. It encourages voters to vote for capable candidates.

6. It encourages voting for candidate instead of party.

7. It reviews the kind of support received by the government.

Disadvantages of Alternative Voting System

1. It leads to proliferation of political parties.

2. It is cumbersome for developing countries operate.

3. It gives room for election malpractices.

4. It is complicated and too expensive to operate.

LESSON PRESENTATION

TEACHER’S ACTIVITIES

The teacher,

1. leads a class review on the meaning and types of electoral system.

2. guides a class discussion on the meaning, advantages and disadvantages of alternative voting system.

3. summarizes the lesson on the board with appropriate lesson evaluation.

4. gives an assignment on the meaning, advantages and disadvantages of alternative voting system.

STUDENT’S ACTIVITIES

The students,

1. participate actively in the class review on the meaning and types of electoral system.

2. discuss the meaning, advantages and disadvantages of alternative voting system.

3. respond correctly to the lesson evaluation and write as instructed.

4. take note of class assignment.

LESSON EVALUATION

Teacher asks students to,

1. state five types of electoral systems?

2. mention five advantages of alternative voting system.

3. outline four disadvantages of alternative voting system.