Understanding some key issues will assist political parties when they engage in discussions or negotiations on constitutional or legal frameworks for electoral systems.

1. Be rigorously objective about what will serve a party’s presumed self-interest and over what period

There are many examples of parties supporting electoral change that was counterproductive to their interests, or that did not recognize differences in its short and long term effects. Think of how the system will affect the party when it is out of power, as well as when it is in power.

2. An electoral system is a facilitator, not a determinant

It can assist the direction of democratization, but cannot guarantee or determine it.

3. Recognize that electoral systems are based on values

No electoral system will be perfect – each has a different set of biases and will always serve some objectives better than others.

4. Recognize the advantages of simplicity

Simple electoral systems are more predictable in effects, may be less costly to implement, and are easier to analyze and adjust in future for apparent shortcomings. They also have transparency advantages. If voters don’t understand how the system has treated their votes, they are less likely to accept the outcome. Introducing multiple new electoral systems and rules for voting at the same or similar time may have particularly confusing effects.

5. Don’t expect that an electoral system that has provided a party with success in the past will continue to provide these results in a more open society

Systems favoring the largest party may favor a different largest party under more open competition.

6. Don’t expect that party systems and relative strengths will stay the same under new electoral systems

New electoral systems create new party formations, systems and behavior.

7. Carefully consider how much flexibility is appropriate in the electoral system’s rules

Especially how much detail needs to be in high level instruments such as constitutions. Constitutionally entrenching electoral provisions can put them beyond the reach of malevolent forces, but can make implementation, and especially any later necessary reforms, much more difficult.

8. Learn from world wide experience by taking a broad range of advice

From both practically oriented and academic sources. Like many consultants, each electoral design ‘expert’ has her/his own favorite systems and limits to experience.

9. Consider an appropriate electoral system development/reform process

Who drives it and who participates. Electoral systems affect the whole of society, not just the overtly political players. Involving civil society expertise and building reform coalitions with civil society can fill gaps in political party knowledge, capabilities, and provide broader based support for reform.

10. Consider the implications of all aspects of the system

A simple looking system on the surface may have significant impacts hidden in the detail. For example, what is the process for determining electoral district boundaries in single member district or low district magnitude based systems, and what is the threshold for representation in proportional representation systems? Such details can have a huge impact on a party’s chances of electoral success.

11. Fiddling around the edges of a system with minor ‘improvements’ only provokes similar responses from other political players

This can lead to the electoral system not being just overly complex, but being driven away from its intended results by a series of seemingly minor, countervailing amendments by political forces with different ideas of their self interest.

12. Consider the financial and skills costs – both for the nation and for parties, in ensuring a proposed electoral system is implemented fairly and accurately. Is the electoral system sustainable?

Realize that some systems that look simple and inexpensive – such as plurality/ majority systems based on single member districts, may have significant hidden financial costs, problems for effective implementation, and difficulties for parties.

13. Be careful about succumbing to a ‘grass is greener on the other side’ syndrome

Any other electoral system may not in fact be better than the existing one. The existing electoral system may not be perfect, but it may be a reasonably appropriate compromise. Modification of the existing system may be a better option than starting afresh with a different type of system.

14. Have patience.

The full outcomes of an electoral system may well not occur during the first or even second electoral cycle in which it is used.

15. Excessive optimism may bring disillusionment

When the expected goals are not directly achieved by a change in the electoral system (for example expecting a reduction or expansion in the effective number of parties). Moderating expectations can assist in refocusing attention on the new system’s implementation, rather than relying on the new rules as the cure.

Source: Wall, Alan and Salih, Mohamed. Engineering Electoral Systems: Possibilities and Pitfalls (NIMD 2008)