ENGAGE: Crash Course on Multiparty Democracy and Electoral System (9 Nov 2019)

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Last year, ENGAGE organised a full-day crash course in six cities nationwide to introduce 8 different types of electoral system – through mock elections – and their implications to multiparty democracy.

The crash course returns this year with some tweaks. As the Electoral Reform Committee (ERC)’s public engagement programmes nationwide are narrowing down the options for a new electoral system, only four systems will be introduced. Introduction of electoral system will be preceded by a conceptual discussion on political parties in democracy. The course will be conducted in Bahasa Malaysia and English.

Part 1 Modern Democracy and Political Parties (9am – 12pm)

1.1 Why does modern democracy need political parties?

1.2 What functions do political parties perform?

1.3 How do political parties differ from civil society organisations?

1.4 How do political parties choose their leaders and candidates?

1.5 How do political parties compete against each other?

Part 2 Electoral System (2pm – 5pm)

2.1 Electoral System and its implications

2.1.1 Wasted Votes: Sincere voting v strategic voting

2.1.2 Volatility: Gambling or Insurance

2.1.3 Mandate for Candidate or Party

2.1.4 Ease/Difficulty in Implementing Quotas

2.1.5 Geographical or Functional Representation

2.2 Mock elections:

2.2.1 First-Past-The-Post (FPTP)

2.2.2 Party List Proportional Representation (List-PR)

2.2.3 Mixed Member Majoritarian (MMM)

2.2.4 Mixed Member Proportional (MMP)

2.3 Which system best suits Malaysia?