What is proportional representation?

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What is proportional representation?

Proportional representation is an electoral system that aims to ensure that the distribution of seats in a legislative body reflects the proportion of votes received by each political party or group. In this system, voters typically cast their ballots for a political party rather than for individual candidates. The number of seats a party receives is determined by the percentage of votes it receives in the election. This system allows for a more accurate representation of the diverse political preferences within a society, as it ensures that smaller parties or minority groups have a chance to be represented in the legislature. Proportional representation can be implemented through various methods, such as party-list systems, single transferable vote systems, or mixed-member proportional systems.