Q. For elections to the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, the Independent India adopted the FPTP (First Past the Post) system of elections rather than Proportional representation. Which of the following reasons can be attributed to this?
1. India’s poor literacy rate at the time of independence
2. The Royal Commission Report of 1910 favoured the FPTP
3. FPTP generally provides for more stable governments
4. To reduce religious polarization of vote
5. Safeguarding interests of minorities
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Answer: A
Notes:
Exp) Option a is the correct answer.
Following reasons are responsible for adopting the FPTP (First Past the Post system) of elections rather than Proportional representation by India –
- India’s poor literacy rate at the time of independence (literacy rate was 18% in 1951). Hence, statement 1 is correct.
- To protect the government stability. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.
- To reduce religious polarisation of vote. Hence, Statement 4 is correct.
The British Parliament’s Royal Commission Report of 1910 which examined proportional representation and simple majority systems and preferred the proportional representation, but the British parliament refused to accept the recommendations because it may threaten the stability of government. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
One of the main criticisms of the FPTP system is that it does not give due representation to minorities. Hence, Statement 5 is incorrect.
