How do elections work, and how do first-past-the-post and the single transferable vote differ?
Elections and electoral systems: how first-past-the-post and the single transferable vote work, where each is used in the UK and Northern Ireland, and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
A CCEA GCSE Government and Politics guide to elections and electoral systems. Covers how first-past-the-post (FPTP) and the single transferable vote (STV) work, where each is used in the UK and Northern Ireland, proportional representation, and a balanced account of the advantages and disadvantages of each system.
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What this dot point is asking
You need to explain how elections work and how two electoral systems differ: first-past-the-post (FPTP) and the single transferable vote (STV). CCEA examiners reward precise knowledge of the mechanics of each, where each is used in the UK and Northern Ireland, the idea of proportional representation, and a balanced comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of each. A common exam task is to argue which system is better, so you must be able to weigh both fairly.
First-past-the-post
The UK uses first-past-the-post (FPTP) for general elections to Westminster.
The single transferable vote
Northern Ireland uses the single transferable vote (STV) for the Assembly, local councils and (formerly) European elections.
Proportional representation
Advantages and disadvantages
Try this
Q1. Under first-past-the-post, what does a candidate need to win a seat? [2 marks]
- Cue. The most votes in the constituency (a plurality), not necessarily more than half.
Q2. Where is the single transferable vote used in Northern Ireland? [2 marks]
- Cue. For the Northern Ireland Assembly and local council elections.
Q3. Give one advantage of FPTP and one advantage of STV. [2 marks]
- Cue. FPTP: simple, usually strong single-party government; STV: proportional, fewer wasted votes, supports power-sharing.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of CCEA exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
CCEA Unit 1 (style)4 marksExplain how first-past-the-post works.Show worked answer →
A knowledge question testing AO1. Describe the mechanics precisely.
The system: under first-past-the-post (FPTP), the UK is divided into constituencies, each electing one representative. Voters mark a single X for one candidate.
Winning: the candidate with the most votes in the constituency wins the seat, even if they do not win more than half. There is no need for a majority, only a plurality (more than anyone else).
Forming government: the party that wins the most seats overall normally forms the government. FPTP is used for UK general elections to Westminster.
A top answer names one X, one seat per constituency, winner takes the seat on a plurality, and links it to single-party government.
CCEA Unit 1 (style)10 marksCompare the advantages and disadvantages of first-past-the-post and the single transferable vote.Show worked answer →
An explanation question testing AO1 and AO2. Compare both systems even-handedly.
FPTP advantages: simple to use and understand; usually produces a clear single-party majority and strong, stable government; gives each area a single, identifiable representative.
FPTP disadvantages: results are not proportional, so a party's share of seats may not match its share of votes; many votes are wasted; smaller parties are under-represented.
STV advantages: results are broadly proportional, so seats reflect votes; fewer wasted votes; suits a divided society because several parties win representation, which underpins power-sharing in Northern Ireland.
STV disadvantages: more complex to use and count; can produce coalitions or power-sharing that are slower to form and may be less stable.
A balanced answer weighs both and reaches a measured judgement.
Related dot points
- The Northern Ireland Assembly: how MLAs are elected by single transferable vote across eighteen constituencies, and the Assembly's role in making laws, scrutinising the Executive and representing the public.
A CCEA GCSE Government and Politics guide to the Northern Ireland Assembly. Covers how the ninety MLAs are elected by single transferable vote across eighteen constituencies, the Assembly's three jobs of legislating, scrutinising the Executive and representing constituents, designation, and cross-community voting.
- The UK Parliament at Westminster: the House of Commons, the House of Lords and the monarch, and Parliament's roles in making law, scrutinising government and representing the public, including Northern Ireland's place at Westminster.
A CCEA GCSE Government and Politics guide to the UK Parliament. Covers the House of Commons, the House of Lords and the role of the monarch, the functions of making law, scrutinising government and representation, parliamentary sovereignty, how a bill becomes law, and how Northern Ireland is represented at Westminster.
- The Prime Minister and Cabinet: how the UK government is formed, the powers and role of the Prime Minister, the role of the Cabinet, and collective Cabinet responsibility.
A CCEA GCSE Government and Politics guide to the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Covers how the UK government is formed after an election, the powers and role of the Prime Minister, the role of the Cabinet and ministers, collective Cabinet responsibility, and how government is accountable to Parliament.
- Political parties: their role and functions in a democracy, the difference between the Northern Ireland and wider UK party systems, manifestos, and how parties form or share government.
A CCEA GCSE Government and Politics guide to political parties. Covers the role and functions of parties in a democracy, manifestos, the difference between the multi-party power-sharing system in Northern Ireland and the larger parties at Westminster, and how parties form or share government, presented neutrally and even-handedly.
- Taking action in a democracy: the rights and responsibilities of the citizen, the ways people can participate including voting, petitioning, demonstrating and joining a party or pressure group, and the types and methods of pressure groups.
A CCEA GCSE Government and Politics guide to taking action in a democracy. Covers the rights and responsibilities of the citizen, the ways people can participate including voting, petitioning, demonstrating and joining a party or pressure group, and the types and methods of pressure groups, with a balanced view of their influence.
Sources & how we know this
- CCEA GCSE Government and Politics specification — CCEA (2017)