AN Opposition MP has joined his colleague MPs from the government side that he is not in favor of a return to the First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) voting system.
Alotau MP, Charles Abel posted today in his Alotau District Facebook page said the FPTP voting system encourages bad practices.
Abel stated that although the FPTP voting system is simpler, faster and would make it easier for members, like himself to win again, it is less representative of the overall voters’ wishes, it encourages bad practices like selective development of electorates, vote buying, and is more violent or costly elections.
“This was seen when we had FPTP up to 2002 elections. People would often win with less than five per cent of the primary votes, which is not adequately representative. Voters tend to give their preference to their tribesmen or wantok, this favors the biggest tribe, wealthier individuals and warlords,” Abel said.
He said under the Limited Preferential Voting (LPV) system voters may still do this with their first preference then give any other votes they have available to the best candidate. This leads to a more cooperative, less violent process, and more representative outcome.
“It encourages incumbent leaders to spread development more evenly. The three votes under the LPV do not have equal weighting.
“The ones are counted first and you can only win with only these if you get a simple majority. When the elimination starts you could win with only some twos adding to your ones, and so forth. We have had the experience of both systems now and can judge them clearly,” Mr Abel reiterated.