SNTV, also known as Single Non-Transferable Vote, is an electoral system that is primarily used in multi-member constituencies. It is a simple voting method where voters express their preference for a single candidate, and the candidates who receive the highest number of votes are elected.
In SNTV, each voter has only one vote, which they cast for their preferred candidate. The voter's choice is not transferable to any other candidate. The candidates with the highest number of votes win the available seats, with no regard for candidate rankings or vote redistribution. For instance, in a constituency with three seats, the three candidates who receive the most votes, regardless of the proportion of votes received, will be elected.
This electoral system is often associated with party lists or open ballots, where voters choose individual candidates rather than parties. SNTV can lead to diverse representation, as the elected candidates do not necessarily belong to the same political party. However, it has been criticized for disenfranchising minority groups, as they may be unable to pool their votes to ensure representation for their community beyond the candidate who garners the most votes.
SNTV is employed in various countries, including Japan, Taiwan, Afghanistan, and Jordan, but its usage has declined over time due to concerns over its fairness and potential for vote wastage.
