Highlight three merits and any three demerits of a simple majority system of voting.

The simple majority system (also called the first-past-the-post or plurality system) is a method of voting in which the candidate who scores the highest number of votes is declared the winner, even if the votes do not amount to more than half of the total votes cast.

Three merits of the simple majority system

1. Simplicity: it is easy to understand, operate and administer. The winner is simply the candidate with the most votes, so both voters and electoral officials find it straightforward.
2. Quick and cheap results: counting is fast and there is usually no need for a second round of voting, which saves time and reduces the cost of conducting elections.
3. Stable and strong government: it tends to produce a clear winner and often a single majority party, which reduces the need for coalition governments and makes for a strong, stable executive.

Three demerits of the simple majority system

1. It is undemocratic in effect: a candidate can win with less than half of the total votes, meaning the majority of voters may have voted against the winner.
2. Wasted votes: all votes cast for losing candidates count for nothing, so a large section of the electorate ends up without effective representation.
3. Poor representation of minorities: small parties with support spread across many constituencies may win few or no seats, so the composition of the legislature does not reflect the true spread of opinion in the country.