The correct option is 3 only.
Explanation
The First Past the Post (FPTP) system, also known as the simple majority system or plurality system, is the electoral method adopted by the Indian Constitution for elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies. In this system, the entire country is divided into geographical constituencies, and the candidate who secures the highest number of votes in a constituency is declared elected.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Incorrect. Under the FPTP system, a candidate does not need to secure more than 50% of the total votes polled (absolute majority) to win. The candidate simply requires more votes than any other individual candidate (plurality). It is common for winners to secure less than 50% of the total votes in multi-cornered contests.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect. The FPTP system does not guarantee that the number of seats won by a party corresponds to its vote share. Unlike the Proportional Representation (PR) system, where seat distribution is directly linked to the percentage of votes polled, FPTP often results in a disparity between vote share and seat share.
- Statement 3 is Correct. Due to the nature of the FPTP system, it is mathematically and practically possible for a party to win a majority of seats in the legislature (more than 50% of seats) while securing a minority of the total popular vote (less than 50% of votes). This phenomenon occurs because the winning party only needs to be ahead of others in individual constituencies, regardless of the margin. For instance, in the 1984 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress party won over 80% of the seats with only about 48% of the popular vote.
Key Takeaway
Key Takeaway: The First Past the Post (FPTP) system is based on the principle of plurality, not absolute majority. Consequently, it often creates a "manufactured majority" where a party secures a legislative majority without winning the majority of the popular vote.