Here are some wishes expressed in a conference to discuss a constitution for a new country. Write against each of these whether FPTP or Proportional Representation system is more suited to meet each of these wishes.
People should clearly know who is their representative so that they can hold him or her personally accountable.
FPTP is more suited. In the FPTP system, the candidate who secures the highest votes in a particular constituency is declared elected. This makes the system simple and familiar to ordinary voters, who can clearly identify their representative and hold him or her personally accountable.
We have small linguistic minorities who are spread all over the country; we should ensure fair representation to them.
Proportional Representation is more suited. The FPTP electoral system often works to the disadvantage of smaller social groups. In a diverse country, a PR system would encourage each community to form its own nation-wide party, ensuring fair representation to linguistic minorities spread all over the country.
There should be no discrepancy between votes and seats for different parties.
Proportional Representation is more suited. In the PR system, seats in the legislature would be divided on the basis of share of votes. This ensures that there is no discrepancy between votes and seats for different parties, unlike FPTP which may give larger parties more seats than their share of votes.
People should be able to elect a good candidate even if they do not like his or her political party.
FPTP is more suited. The FPTP system allows voters to directly elect individual candidates in their constituency. This enables people to elect a good candidate even if they do not like his or her political party, as they vote for the person rather than the party list.
Explanation
This question tests understanding of the key differences between FPTP and Proportional Representation systems. FPTP is better for accountability and electing individual candidates, while PR is better for fair representation of minorities and ensuring votes-seats proportionality.