single non-transferable vote (SNTV)

The non-transferable vote (SNTV) is an electoral system which gives voters a single vote in an electoral district which is represented by two or more members of an assembly (see multimember district ).  It is a non-proportional system in which the candidates with the most votes are elected.  The implications of this system are that, in order to maximize its representation, a large party must discipline its supporters so that their votes are divided between two or more of the party’s candidates .  It also means that, if two or more candidates of the same party are contesting the same electoral district, they are, to some extent, running against each other as much as candidates from rival parties.  This system has been used in Japan, Korea and Taiwan.