Electing a Proportional All-Party, Power-Sharing Executive

Abstract

A parliament could elect an executive, or any group of people could elect a fixed number of individuals to form a team in which each person chosen undertakes quite separate functions, by a matrix vote. There is one (paper or electronic) ballot, but two counts. In electing a cabinet of, say, six persons, the first count is to choose the six most popular candidates, who then form the executive; the procedure is proportional, so this cabinet is (almost) bound to represent all the (main) parties in parliament. The second count, though based on these same preferences, is a points system to see who of these newly elected individuals shall be appointed to which portfolio. This chapter first describes the functions of the matrix vote; next, it outlines the rules for the election; then, with two theoretical examples from both a partisan and a non-partisan scenario, it shows how an entire parliament can participate on an equal basis in the choice of its executive; finally, it examines the methodology and concludes that it is inclusive, ethno-colour blind, fair, robust and accurate. The rules for the conduct of a matrix vote are in Annex II.

Amongst the principles [we] pursued… is that out of any debate… there should be no winners or losers.

President Nelson , addressing the final sitting of South Africa’s first democratic parliament, 26.3.1999.

The original version of this chapter was revised. The erratum to this chapter is available at DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-23500-4_8.

An erratum to this chapter can be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-23500-4_8