Question

Gerrymandering refers to the targeted redrawing of election constituencies so as to benefit a particular party. This is especially important where the electoral system is "first past the post" in each constituency (i.e. one winner is selected in each constituency based on a majority of votes won) and where there is no other provision for proportional representation (as for example in the German system). For a simple illustration of gerrymandering, if a region consists of districts 1, 2, 3, …, 9 with districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 favouring party P and 7, 8, 9 favouring party Q, then grouping of districts to constituencies as \{1,2,3\, \{4,5,6\}, \{7,8,9\} will give two seats to party P and one seat to party Q, whereas the grouping \{1,2,7\}, \{3,4,8\}, \{5,6,9\} will give all three seats to party P, as they will secure a majority in each constituency.}

• A. Gerrymandering implies that constituency boundaries can sometimes be drawn to favour one party over the other.
• B. Gerrymandering implies that proportional representation is impossible when districts are grouped to form constituencies.
• C. To counteract gerrymandering political parties should concentrate on districts where they are favoured.
• D. The grouping of districts to constituencies has very little impact on proportional representation.

Hint:

Gerrymandering is a strategy where political boundaries are manipulated to favour one party over another, and this can significantly alter electoral outcomes.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

We are given a situation describing gerrymandering, where the boundaries of constituencies are redrawn to favour a particular political party. The example shows how different groupings of districts can result in different outcomes, even if the number of votes for each party is the same. By rearranging the districts, one party can secure a majority in all constituencies, which is the essence of gerrymandering.
Step 1: Analyzing the question.
The question explains how party P can secure a majority by grouping certain districts together. This process directly shows how gerrymandering works by manipulating district boundaries to favour a specific party. Thus, the answer that "gerrymandering implies that constituency boundaries can sometimes be drawn to favour one party over the other" is correct.
Step 2: Discarding other options.
- (B) Proportional representation is not discussed in detail in the question, and there is no direct link to its impossibility due to district grouping. - (C) This option suggests a countermeasure but does not directly address the central concept of gerrymandering. - (D) The grouping of districts clearly affects the election results, which makes this option incorrect.
Final Answer: (A) \textGerrymandering implies that constituency boundaries can sometimes be drawn to favour one party over the other.