Subject: Social Studies Type of Lesson: Multimedia, discussion , Group work

Grade: 10 CSEC OBJ: Describe the electoral processes and

systems used to elect a government in
the Commonwealth Caribbean

Term: 2 Unit Number 1 - Government

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Duration: 2x35 Week Number: 2

Lesson Number 6 - Proportional representation

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Objectives
As a result of this lesson, the student will be able to:
1) define proportional representation.
2) explain the process of proportional representation.
3) compare and contrast proportional representation and first past
the Post electoral systems.
4) assess the notion for electoral reform.

Prerequisite Student Knowledge

The student should be familiar with:
1) the electoral process of first past the post.
2) some of the benefits of first past the post electoral process.
3) the type of societies that use first past the post system.
4) how the voting process takes place in the Caribbean.
5) the types of electoral systems in the Caribbean.

Important Points
1) Proportional Representation is another type of electoral system
used to choose a government .Guyana uses this system to choose
its government. The proportional Representation system includes
the allocation of seats in parliament based on the proportion or
percentage of votes received by each political party. Within this
system the country is treated as one constituency but for the
purpose of election the country is divided into electoral districts/
constituencies.
2) Proportional Representation system is not opposite in structure and
nature to First Past the Post as there are some similarities between

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the two. Both systems encourage the division of the country into
constituencies but this is done for two different purposes. For the
First Past the Post , the constituencies are for the purpose of
selecting representatives from each geographical area to sit in
parliament. On the other hand the purpose of the constituencies in
the Proportional Representation system is to ensure the relative
ease of voting during the elections as all citizens cannot vote at one
location. Number of votes is of vital importance in determining the
government of a country. The number of votes only determines the
winner of a constituency within the First Past the Post system. In
this case a party can have majority votes but still does not stand a
chance of winning the elections. The number of votes for the
Proportional representation system is the key in determining which
political party will hold the greatest percentage of seats in
parliament. It is not the number of seats that will determine who
forms the government.
3) Proportional Representation like First Past the Post has its
advantages and disadvantages. It is believed that the Proportional
Representation system is far more democratic as it reflects
majority and them being represented. In addition no citizen
regardless of who he/ she voted for will lack representation in
parliament. One of the drawback may be however is that one votes
for the party and not directly for a representative in your local area.
4) No electoral system is perfect and as such there is a need for
change or adjustments hence there is an ongoing debate regarding
electoral reform (change) as it relates to fairness of elections. The
aim is to ensure that as a democratic society we have a much
broader and more representative parliament so that the concerns of
all citizens are heard and no one feels ignored and less important..
It is also believed that the current system used in Jamaica works
against representation of a third party or independent opinions
outside of the two major parties.
5) One of the most important issue within an election is whether or
not citizens feel as if they are represented at all levels and that if
not all , most of their views are being taken to the highest level.
This issue will have a significant bearing on the voting decision.
6) It is important that all elections are free and fair. Individuals must
feel comfortable to select or chose a party or candidate without
having fear for life and property.
7) There are instances where election data gives us unreliable
information or may cause us to form doubts about whether or not
the election was carried out in a fair and just manner. We must be
able to analyze data and form our own opinions based on the
statistics

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Key Terms

coalition constituency Electoral reform

Proportional votes Voters list

Representation

Challenge Areas
Design posters on the sequence of the proportional representation
process.

Equipment/Materials Needed
Multimedia equipment set up before hand, computers and internet
connections for various groups of students

Note to Teacher
It is very effective to use a comparative technique between First Past
the Post and Proportional Representation when teaching this topic.
Students understand the differences quite easily and are able to
understand each system better.

Teachers Lesson Notes

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Introduction
1) Introductory Activity

What does the term Proportional Representation suggest?

a. Project the word Proportion on the white board.

i. Ask students to give as many concepts or terms that
are similar in meaning as they can.
ii. Allow students to recall the meaning of
Representative from the previous lesson.
iii. Have students put the two words together and arrive
at a definition of the concept proportional
representation.
iv. Allow students to record the agreed definition of the
concept in their notebooks.

Body of Lesson
1) What are the stages of proportional representation?

a. The country is not divided into constituencies for the

purpose of elections as is the case for first past the post but
the entire country is treated as one constituency where
individuals vote for the party in their electoral districts.
Below is a map of Guyana.

Figure 1: Map of Guyana Showing Electoral Districts

Source: http://www.gecom.org.gy/section34.html

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.
b. Visit the following website for students to get a better
Try This! understanding of Guyana as a Republic as well as one that
Have students combines parties as a coalition in order to run the country.
complete this activity
to see how much http://www.gecom.org.gy/guyana.html
they know about the http://www.caribbeanelections.com/gy/constituencies/defau
electoral process lt.asp
through the use of
mere general http://www.caribbeanelections.com/gy/results/default.asp
knowledge
.Encourage them c. Direct students to answer the following questions based on
not to judge
themselves based the map above and the websites below.
on the score they i. How many electoral districts does Guyana have?
receive it is all a part Expected answer: Ten electoral districts
of the learning
process. ii. In what year was the First Past the post system
changed in Guyana?
Expected answer: 1964
iii. Explain the purpose of having constituencies in
Guyana.
Expected answer: For administrative purposes,
Guyana is divided into ten regions, each headed by

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a Chairman who presides over a regional
Democratic Council. Local communities are
administered by village or city councils. For the
purpose of elections the districts are converted into
constituencies in an effort to make it easier to
control the voting process.

2) What do these concepts mean?

a. Match the following Concepts with the most appropriate
definitions.
i. Electoral system where the country is treated as one
constituency
ii. An individual or group chosen to speak on behalf of
a group
iii. The merging of two or more parties to form one
body
iv. Body created by a general election consisting of
representatives who have won their seats.
v. Geographical areas in which voting takes place
especially in the proportional representation system
Expected answers: Given in colour.

Table 6.1: Concepts relating to elections

Concepts Definitions
i. Proportional Representation Electoral system where the country is treated
as one constituency
ii. Electoral districts Geographical areas in which voting takes
place, especially in the proportional
representation system.
iii. Representative An individual or group chosen to speak on
behalf of a group.
iv. Coalition The merging of two or more parties to form
one body.
v. Parliament Body created by a general election consisting
of representatives who have won their seats.

3) Brief in-class mock debate

Warning
Please ensure that
time is managed a. Visit the following website and use the statistics from the
properly .There is no Jamaican general elections in 1944 to gather information to
need to do an support the electoral system of your preference. Here are
extensive
preparation for the some questions to guide your line of argument.
debate just focus on i. Which party or parties would form the government
the two questions. It of the country, given your selected system of
does not have to be
perfect , but ensure choice?
that the points are
effective.

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ii. Why would it be better to use your system of choice
rather than the other in selecting a government?
http://www.eoj.com.jm/content-70-202.htm

b. Guide students in constructing a table differentiating

Proportional Representation from First Past the Post
system.

Table 2.2: Comparing electoral systems

Differences First Past the Post Proportional
Representation
Divisions Country is divided Country is treated
into constituencies as one constituency
to choose Members but is divided into
of Parliament for constituencies for
each constituencies the easy process of
voting
Number of votes If a candidate wins The proportion or
will determine his seat in his percentage of seats
constituency a party gets in
parliament
Who forms the The party with the The government
government of the most seats forms position is shared
country the government among major and
minor political
parties according to
their percentage of
votes.

Expected answers are in colour.

4) What is electoral reform all about?

a. What do these cartoons say about elections?

Figure 6.2: Impressions of elections

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i. Facilitate an active class discussion and highlight
the issues that raised by the cartoons.

c. Direct students to use the following website to gather

additional information concerning problems with the current
electoral system in the Caribbean. http://www.electoral-
reform.org.uk/our-mission/ Use the following questions to
guide you as you search for problems faced by citizens in
the election process.

i. Why is it difficult for all citizens to be represented

in parliament in your country?
ii. State two reasons why the citizens in your country
believe that elections operate in an unfair manner
iii. Explain why some persons are reluctant to vote in
their general elections.

Closure
In Class Assignment
1) Under this system, the whole country is treated as a single
constituency and each political party puts up a list of candidates to
fight the elections en block
(a) (i) name the type of electoral system referred to in the statement
above
(ii) Name ONE territory in the Caribbean which uses it
(b) (i) name one other type of electoral system found in the Caribbean
(ii) Name one territory in which it is used
(c) What is meant by the term franchise in the context of the electoral
system?
(d) Explain how the method of allocating seats after a general election
under the system you have named in (a) above differs from the
method used in the system you have named in (b) above
(e) As a leader of a political party, outline THREE important points
you should make to your supporters regarding the benefits to be
gained by a named type of electoral system.
Expected answers:
a.i Proportional Representation
ii Guyana
b i. First Past the Post
ii Jamaica
c. Voting
d. In Proportional Representation seats are gained based on the
proportion of votes the parties receive. For First Past the Post it

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is the candidate with the most votes that will win the seat for
the constituency.
e. First Past the Post guarantees that the candidate with the
highest number of votes wins the election
It promotes accountability from individual from individual
parliamentarians because under this system , a parliamentarian
is responsible for a particular constituency.
It gives constituents the opportunity to choose their
representative.

Supplemental
Out-of-Class Assignment
1) http://aceproject.org/ace-en/quizzes/electoral-systems-
quiz/quiz_view
Visit the website above and complete the online quiz that related to
the electoral process, instant feedback is given

Glossary of Terms

Coalition The merging of two or more parties to form one

body in an effort to govern.

Electoral Reform The process whereby adjustments are made to

the electoral process in order to ensure free and
fair elections as well as full representation where
all citizens concerns are heard and addressed
accordingly

Free and fair A type of election in which the citizens believe

elections that they are safe to chose a party to represent
them without having to contend with biases,
criminal acts and injustice within the elections
itself

Proportional The proportional Representation system includes

Representation the allocation of seats in parliament based on the
proportion or percentage of votes received by
each political party

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CSEC Questions
Electoral districts POLITICAL PARTIES
PDP PUP JAP
Orange Hill 170 190 150
Bay View 210 220 120
Black Rock 290 300 100
Hill Top 550 50 50
Bay Town 480 120 500
TOTAL VOTES 1700 880 920

1) Which political party obtained the largest number of votes?

1mk
b. Calculate the percentage of seats that each party will receive
under the proportional representation system 3mks
c. Which party would get the majority of seats in parliament?
1mk
d. How different would the outcome be had it been the first past
the post system? 3mks
e. Suggest THREE strategies that can be implemented to ensure
that the citizens experience a free and fair election. 6mks
f. Explain why your strategies are likely to be successful.
6mks

Recommended Materials
http://www.eoj.com.jm/content-70-202.htm

http://caribbeanelections.com/elections/default.asp

Bibliography

Brathwaite. S, Reynolds P, (2004). The secondary education

certificate: social studies. Location: Publisher.

Sandy.M.C, Grayson S.C (2000), Social Studies Essentials, Jamaica:

Carlong Publishers

Ramsawak.R, Umraw R.R, (2001), Modules in Social Studies,

Trinidad: Caribbean Educational Publishers

Ruddock L.C, Robinson-Glanville.S, (1998) Secondary Social Studies

Jamaica: Citizenship and Government, Jamaica: Carlong Publishers

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Ruddock L.C, Robinson-Glanville S, (1994) New Civics for Young
Jamaicans, Jamaica: Carlong Publishers

Sandy.M, (2012) Social Studies Essentials, Jamaica Carlong

Publishers

Source:

[untitled map of Guyana]. Retrieved June 3, 2012, from:

http://www.gecom.org.gy/section34.html

Cartoon against corruption [image]. Retrieved June 3, 2012 from

http://www.google.com.jm/search?q=cartoons+against+corruption&hl
=en&prmd=imvns&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=uAHrT8iXC
Ymo8QTPzojmBQ&ved=0CDYQ_AUoAQ&biw=764&bih=451#q=c
artoons+against+corruption&hl=en&sa=X&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&
bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=ea9ee246caffe2e8&biw=1600
&bih=799

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