Name: Miriam Harriott
Grade:10
Subject: Social Studies
The Government
Assignment
1. Describe the electoral processes and systems used to elect a government in
the Commonwealth Caribbean.
The Electoral Process:
During an election the country is divided into constituencies, the electoral staff
is then selected and trained, voters are enumerated or registered, the electoral
office then prepares the voters list, the voters list is amended and corrected, and
polling stations are selected and publicized. When all of that is done the
announcement of dates for nomination day and election day are said, the
political parties then choose and announce their manifestoes (anyone who is not
allowed to vote also cannot stand in the office), when that is done the election
campaign is now in full progress (party meetings, broadcasts, posters,
electioneering), on nomination day each candidate is nominated and a minimal
deposit of $100 paid, on election day voters cast their votes at polling stations
and the votes are counted and returns are made to each returning officer. When
that is done the recounting of ballot boxes; disputed results are challenged in
court, the governor general then invites party with the most elected members to
form government and the person whom they have the most confidence to be
prime minister then forms a cabinet, the cabinet and the prime minister have
sworn in. When that is done the person with the most support from opposition
members asked to be leader of opposition then sworn in and the members of the
senate are nominated, and all members of parliament and senate sworn in.
Systems used to elect a government in commonwealth Caribbean:
 First-past-the-post-system:
A country is divided up into constituencies. A candidate is nominated for election
in each constituency. The candidate gaining the most votes wins the election and
gets a seat in parliament. The party that wins the most seats wins the general
election and forms the government. The opposition comes from the party with the
second highest number of seats. If no party wins an outright majority there is a
hung parliament
 Proportional Representation:
The whole country is treated as a single constituency. A list of candidates is
prepared by the political parties based on the number of seats in Parliament. People
vote for a party rather than a candidate. Seats in Parliament are awarded to a party
based on the proportion votes the party receives. The candidates on the party list
will be given seats in order of preference.
2. Definition of the following terms and concepts: government, political party,
constituency, candidate, electorate, voters’ list, floating voter, representative, adult
suffrage, franchise, manifesto, ballot, hung parliament, government of national
unity, coalition government.
 Government: the government is a body with authority to control
and direct the affairs of a country.
 political party: an organization of people who share the same views about
the way power should be used in a country or society (through
government, policy-making, etc.)
 constituency: is a portion of a parish which is entitled to elect once
candidate in parliament.
 Candidate: A candidate is ultimately an applicant for a position. The
term most commonly refers to candidates standing for election for
political offices.
 Electorate: the body of persons entitled to vote in an election.
 voters’ list: The voters’ list is a list of persons who are eligible to vote in a
particular electoral district and who are registered to vote, if required in a
particular jurisdiction
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floating voter: a person who has not decided which way to vote in an
election, or one who does not consistently vote for the same political
party.
Representative: Also referred to as a congressman or congresswoman,
each representative is elected to a two-year term serving the people of a
specific congressional district. Among other duties, representatives
introduce bills and resolutions, offer amendments and serve on
committees.
adult suffrage: Universal suffrage (also called universal franchise,
general suffrage, and common suffrage of the common man) gives the
right to vote to all adult citizens, regardless of wealth, income, gender,
social status, race, ethnicity, or any other restriction, subject only to
relatively minor exceptions.
Franchise: this is a person’s right to vote, this right is conferred on him
by his citizenship and his achieving adulthood (universal adult suffrage).
Manifesto: A manifesto is a statement published by a person or group of
people, especially a political party, or a government, in which they say
what their aims and policies are.
Ballot: is a device used to cast votes in an election and may be found as a
piece of paper or a small ball used in secret voting.
hung parliament: a parliament in which no political party has enough
seats to secure an overall majority.
government of national unity: A government of national unity is a broad
coalition of MPs from various different parties and none, who come
together to form a new cabinet and government behind a prime minister.
coalition government: is a form of government in which political parties
cooperate to form a government. The usual reason for such an
arrangement is that no single party has achieved an absolute majority
after an election.