The_General_Election_Explained.doc

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‘The General Election Explained’ – summary of the documentary [19 March 2009]

The Houses of Parliament - Palace of Westminster

HOC HOL:

-new laws (mainly HOC)

-scrutinizing government policy

-debating on the major issues of the day

-revising and amending government proposals to the new laws (HOL)

-HOC 646 members; majority - 323 (2005: Labour 355-majority, the Conservatives-198, the Liberal Democrats-62)

-First-past-the-post system – one cross on the ballot paper (wasting votes)

-Party with the most successful MPs forms the government

-Elections every 5 or 4 years

-proportional representation in 2005: Labour 227, the Conservatives-209, the Liberal Democrats-142 Green Party-7 + smaller parties; every vote counts

To be elected the candidate must:

-be chosen by the party (or the independent candidate)

-campaign

Elections:

-electoral registration forms

-register

-ballot papers

-polling station

-secret ballot

-secret booth

-ballot box (at 10 collected for counting when the polling station is closed)

-counting (volunteers at City Halls)

-Returning Officer announces the result

-election night

Source:

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