STV

• How STV works

  • 6 seats available in each constituency.
  • Each party can field as many candidates as there are seats.
  • Voters rank candidates by preference.
  • Electoral quota is determined to allocate seats.
  • Candidates who reach the quota are elected until all 6 members are elected.
• STV statistics

  • In 2016, Fermanagh and South Tyrone saw the DUP offer 2 candidates and elect all 2 of its candidates.
  • SDLP won 12% of first preference votes and 12 seats in the NI Assembly.
• Advantages of STV

  • Broadly proportional outcome.
  • Gives voters a wide range of candidates to choose from.
  • Helps smaller parties and independents to be elected.
• Disadvantages of STV

  • Can help to elect extremist candidates.
  • Quite complex and long to calculate so may confuse voters and deliver an unclear election outcome.
  • With 6 representatives, there is no clear MP-constituent bond.