What is the Meaning & Definition of ballot
Ballot is on loan from the French language, specifically the word ballotage. In some American countries, ballot is the term that refers to an election candidate through a system of second round. Thus, between the two candidates who have received more votes in an election, applies the ballotage system to choose one of them. In Spain this term is not used for an obvious reason: there is no run-off as electoral procedure, although it must be remembered that there is currently a social debate on the suitability of introducing this system, since often some candidates with little popular support can reach power through pacts with other political groups.
The ballot has a peculiarity: that a candidate can get the victory in a first round, but not to get the win in the second. On the other hand, the ballot is used normally only in the case that the candidate failed to obtain an absolute majority in the first round.
The electoral formula of the double turn or ballot is rooted in those countries with a presidential political tradition, for example, France, Argentina, Chile or Bolivia. The defenders of this mechanism is considered that it is better than the formula of relative majority, something that is quite common in the countries in which many parties to democratic elections concur.
In some cases, the ballot exists as a mechanism but has not been implemented or only in an exceptional manner (in presidential elections in 2002 in Costa Rica was used for the first time since before it had not been necessary).
Another aspect associated with East electoral system is the strengthening of the two major parliamentary fronts, the Group of winners and losers. These two fronts or groups have been forced to be formed from the fact of the second round. This circumstance does not imply a bipartisanship but the polarization of two fronts by several parties.
Even though the ballot has a number of positive features, some analysts believe that also incorporates some inconvenience. In fact, the double turn is the forced union of opposing forces and this is considered a democratic weakness or an artificial Alliance.
Considerations on the ballot as electoral system
An electoral system involves a set of rules, which allow a series of constraints and opportunities. The ballotage system allows a candidate to the Presidency of a country to have the support of the majority and, accordingly, it is considered that this mode gives greater democratic legitimacy (as general criterion the ballot involves obtaining more than half of the votes cast).The ballot has a peculiarity: that a candidate can get the victory in a first round, but not to get the win in the second. On the other hand, the ballot is used normally only in the case that the candidate failed to obtain an absolute majority in the first round.
The electoral formula of the double turn or ballot is rooted in those countries with a presidential political tradition, for example, France, Argentina, Chile or Bolivia. The defenders of this mechanism is considered that it is better than the formula of relative majority, something that is quite common in the countries in which many parties to democratic elections concur.
In some cases, the ballot exists as a mechanism but has not been implemented or only in an exceptional manner (in presidential elections in 2002 in Costa Rica was used for the first time since before it had not been necessary).
Strategies for unifying votes
A relevant feature of the ballot is the fact that encourage coalitions between various formations. If there were a second round means that the creation of political alliances is more difficult.Another aspect associated with East electoral system is the strengthening of the two major parliamentary fronts, the Group of winners and losers. These two fronts or groups have been forced to be formed from the fact of the second round. This circumstance does not imply a bipartisanship but the polarization of two fronts by several parties.
Even though the ballot has a number of positive features, some analysts believe that also incorporates some inconvenience. In fact, the double turn is the forced union of opposing forces and this is considered a democratic weakness or an artificial Alliance.