Crimson King
Lib Dem
Be nice to each other and sing in tune
Posts: 9,846 
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Post by Crimson King on Nov 29, 2016 23:11:46 GMT
I believe that this election was counted by computer after scanning the ballot papers, and that the software seemingly is programmed in such a way that it will have another round if the quota (calculated based on first preferences) isn't reached, even if that would leave only one candidate. I wouldn't like to guess whether that is a feature or a bug of the software. I have raised this point a couple of times before. Unless whoever did the specification did not fully understand the system, it must be a mistake in the software. As it doesn't matter, nobody sees fit to correct it. I'm not sure I'd describe it as a mistake. The software is presumably programmed to ask 'is quota achieved - if no eliminate next candidate' or something of the sort. it may be obvious to us that if there are only two candidates left the highest of the two is elected, quota or no, but how would the programme know? (the way would be to have it ask at every step ' is there only one more candidate than the number of places left, if yes then declare all elected except the one with the lowest vote', but why add that extra complexity?) |
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Post by La Fontaine on Nov 30, 2016 7:55:10 GMT
I have raised this point a couple of times before. Unless whoever did the specification did not fully understand the system, it must be a mistake in the software. As it doesn't matter, nobody sees fit to correct it. I'm not sure I'd describe it as a mistake. The software is presumably programmed to ask 'is quota achieved - if no eliminate next candidate' or something of the sort. it may be obvious to us that if there are only two candidates left the highest of the two is elected, quota or no, but how would the programme know? (the way would be to have it ask at every step ' is there only one more candidate than the number of places left, if yes then declare all elected except the one with the lowest vote', but why add that extra complexity?) I don't agree that that's "extra complexity", it's inherent in the system. In any case, it would take a tiny programming change (writing as a former programmer). As it is, last place votes are counted as being in favour of a candidate. That's both ridiculous and plain wrong. |
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Post by La Fontaine on Nov 30, 2016 10:15:57 GMT
Alternatively, they could update the quota as they go along, in which case the problem would not arise.
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