Each constituency is allocated six seats to be filled. Seats will be allocated based on the number of votes each party or individual candidate receives, using a mathematical formula d’Hondt.1
This formula sees the number of votes cast in the constituency for each party divided by the number of constituency seats they have gained, plus one. Individual candidates do not have their total votes divided at any stage. They simply win a seat if they have the highest total of votes at any round.
The total number of votes cast for each party and each individual candidate is known as the seat allocation figure for that party or individual candidate.2
The first seat is allocated to the registered party or individual candidate with the highest seat allocation figure.3
The allocations of the second to sixth seats are calculated by dividing the total number votes each party or individual candidate has received by the number of seats it has already been allocated. Once a party has been allocated as many seats as there are candidates on its list, or an individual candidate has been allocated a seat, they are removed from the calculation for the allocation of the remaining seats.4
Recalculation
The Returning Officer (RO) will share the provisional result with the election agent for each registered political party or in the absence of the agent one of the party list candidates, each individual candidate or their agent.5
An election agent or an individual candidate can ask the RO to recalculate the result. The RO may refuse to do so if the request to is unreasonable.6
There is no provision at this stage to request a recount of votes.
Equality of votes
If the highest seat allocation figure is the same for two or more political parties or individual candidates, the RO must decide between them by drawing lots.7