The Question

This question is posed on behalf of a user of the ACE website.

Countries vastly differ in their ratios of MPs to citizens in parliament. For example, the lower house of Japan’s House of Representatives has 480 MPs,  whereas the United Kingdom’s House of Commons has 650.

• Is there a universal formula that assists countries when deciding how many MPs should be in parliament?
• Why is it that countries with large populations have more MPs than countries with smaller populations?
• Is there any literature explaining how countries decide on the number of MPs?

 

              

Summary of Responses

There is no universal formula for assigning the number of MPs in a parliament

Practitioners’ Network (PN) members generally agreed that there is no universal formula determining  the number of MPs in a parliament. Furthermore, several members argued that a single criteria cannot apply across the board due to the political sensitivity of every country’s delimitation process, and the variety of stakeholders involved, often  with competing interests. One PN member from Burundi noted that factors such as the historical background of a parliament, the size of the country, population size, geography, number of administrative units or districts, and the number of registered voters all affect number of MPs in a given country. In addition, a member from Mexico noted that a truly representative arrangement  prioritizes the diversity of political parties, the interests of marginalized communities, and local government representation.

Several PN  members also cautioned that governments can influence the number of MPs in an arrangement favorable to them prior to a general election. One member from Madagascar noted that between the governments of 2004 and 2007 the number of MPs varied between 121 and 150, for a population of 7-8 million voters. However, safeguards can be implemented against this, as another member suggested citing the case of Kenya. The Kenyan Constitution stipulates that no boundary review process can affect any election within 12 months of it,  and all changes only take effect in the next election.

Countries Establish their own Constitutional Arrangements for the Number of MPs

Several members suggested that countries often establish the number of MPs based on a Constitutionally decreed formula. PN members noted this to be the case in the United States, Australia, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Kenya.For example, as one electoral expert from Senegal noted, the  Senegalese electoral law gives administrative units or departments (‘departements’)  with a population less than 150,000 residents no more than 2 assembly seats. The maximum number of seats for a department is 7, and a minimum is 1. Another PN member from Tunisia noted that in each of the  country’s  24 governorates there is approximately 1 MP per every 60,000 inhabitants.

Literature

One PN member from the United States suggested visiting  the Cube Root rule, which recommends assembly size be near the cubed root of an entire population. The same member additionally suggested reading Matthew Shugart’s blog for examples of its application (http://fruitsandvotes.wordpress.com/2005/08/29/reapportionment-a-better-way/). However, another respondent cautioned that this formula rarely governed most countries’ decision-making processes on assembly size. The same member also suggested that the Cube Root rule was originally proposed by Rein Taagepera in an article in 1973.

 

External Resources

• Taagepera, Rein. 1973. "Seats and Votes: A Generalization of the Cube Law of Elections." Social Science Research 2:257-275. 29 Theil, H. 1969. "The Cube Law Revisited."
• Royal Commission on the Electoral System (New Zealand) 
• Australian Constitution
• Matthew Shugart: Reapportionment–A better way?

 

Names of Contributors

• David Jandura
• Bernard Grofman
• Elijah James
• Alinjato James Ramarosaona,
• Laurie McGrath
• Mirimo Mulongo
• Bucumi Julius
• Robert Marsh
• Abdiwahidi Hussein,
• Ngondo Ndjondo Abbel
• Ababacar Fall
• Deyanira Galindo
• Enrique López Sanavia
• Hedi Trabelsi
• Stina Larserud

 

A good method is the cubed root rule, which would have an assembly size be near the cubed root of the total population. I would recommend reading Matthew Shugart's blog for some examples.  http://fruitsandvotes.com/?cat=164

The cube root law referenced above was first proposed by Rein Taagepera in an article around 1972. Taagepera offers a justification for it in terms of communication channels, but it is not as if those who choose assembly size are deliberately following some mathematical formula.

The larger number of MPs for smaller populations is a reality for my country and the total number of MPs have grown over the years arbitraily based on the obscured perspectives or more so interest of the political parties and their reps responsible for establishing the amount of seats prior to a general election... Ideally I believe that the number of seats which in turn delivers the amount of MPs should be based on "national" geographical spaces (parishes, districts, counties etc not villages or anything smaller) in countries and not on the amount of people living or based in areas in the country... Reason being has to do with the role and functions of MPs in Parliament, which are to be legislators acting like a board of directors looking at the big picture for the country... Much like a lawyer that can represent 1 person or a group... As such you tend to find a lot more larger countries that have more political maturity have adapted as such versus smaller countries with political party members wanting seats and as such create way to many to accomodate their counterparts

You're correct of course, I didn't mean to imply that's how decisions were actually made. 

Le nombre des députés n'a pas, je pense de critères fixes ou mondiales. Il dépend de la structure administrative et aussi de la configuration politique du pays; et dans la majorité de cas, c'est une décision par un décret du gouvernement qui adopte le chiffre.

Par exemple, pour le cas de Madagascar, une grande Ile dans l'Océan indien, entre deux gouvernements, en 2004 et 2007, le nombre de députés varie de 121 à 150, pour un pays disposant entre 7 à 8 millions d'électeurs. 

Actuellement, durant la Transition, on ne les élit pas mais on les nomme, et le nombre est plus élevé à cause de principe d'inclusivité, et selon la recommandation de la communauté internationale.

The number of members of a parliament may be prescribed in the country's Constitution. This the case in both Australia and the United States.

In Australia the Constitution in s.7 sets down the number of Senators that can be elected to the parliament and it allows for the parliament to increase the number if it wishes. Parliament has increased the Senate size over the last 100 years from 36 to 76, 12 for each state and 2 for each of the territories. Any further increase would require well reasoned argument as the Australian electorate is quick to react to any attempt to expand parliamentary numbers.

The number of Senators determines the number of MP's in the House of Representatives, the parliamentary chamber in which Government is formed. Under s.24 of the Constitution the number of MP's cannot exceed twice the number of Senators (152) and it currently has 150 MP's. So to increase its number requires an increase in the number if Senators.

Australia's Constitution can be accessed at: http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/coaca430/   

En République Démocratique du Congo, c'est la constitution adoptée au référendum qui a fixé à 500 le nombre de députés qui composent l'Assemblée nationale pour plus de 32 millions d'électeurs. Chaque pays suivant un certain nombre des critères détermine la composition de l'Assemblée nationale.

 

The determination of the number of MPs in first over all a political decision of each country.

To take decision the decision makers are inspired by a certain number of facts such as the historical background of the Parliament, the size of the country and the all populaiton, the geographical aspects, the number of voter on the roll, the économic situation, the will of more approching the population(proximity ), the will of solving conflict by giving jobs to potential people to disturb the leaders,  etc. 

Such facts are discussed an analysed before determination fo number of the MPs. The most known or taken as sine qua none is the number of the population at whole or number of voters in some countries. They have to know how many citizens each MP is representing to see if he/she is able to meet them and transmit their problems for solution in Parliament or some where else.

In Burundi, the Constitution stipulates a minimum of 100 MPs for a popuation of about 8,5 millions. To this number, is added 3 MPs non elected by coopted from the Batwa mionority ethnic  and other 3 ccopted persons for gender balance to make the total of 106 MPs.

For the Senate, the law stipulates of 2 Senators by each Province or constituency wich are 17. To this is added the former chiefs of states and we have 4. To this is added 3 MPs non elected by coopted from the Batwa mionority ethnic to make the total of 41.

Therefore, to determinate the number of MPs varies from one country to another for the variable elements cited above.

Julius BUCUMI

Inspector of Justice, Burundi

 

For a detailed discussion of the theory underpinning the cube root "law" see Taagapera and Shugart, Seats and Votes (c.1986, I think). 

The question of the appropriate number of seats was considered in some detail in New Zealand by the Royal Commission on the Electoral System.  Their report can be found here: http://www.elections.org.nz/voting-system/mmp-voting-system/report-royal-commission-electoral-system-1986

The number of seats(MPs)  with respect to the population of the country is mostly stipulated in the country's constitution. Kenya for example, the number of the constituencies is fixed at 290 while counties are 47. However, the actual  boundaries of each constituency shall be such that the number of inhabitants in the constituency is, as nearly as possible, equal to the population quota, but the number of inhabitants of a constituency may be greater or lesser than the population quota by taking account of realities such as:—
(a) geographical features and urban centres;
(b) community of interest, historical, economic and cultural ties; and
(c) means of communication.

The constitution also requires that in reviewing constituency and ward boundaries consultation with all interested parties is done with a view to progressively work towards ensuring that the number of inhabitants in each constituency and ward is, as nearly as possible, equal to the population quota. The population quota is the country's population divided by the Maximum Number of constituencies as stipulated by the constitution i.e. say 40 million divided by 290.

In the kenyan case any boundaries review completed within 12 months to the general election cannot take  effect for that election but will take effect on the subsequent election. This helps to curb possible opportunistic manipulation of the process by those in political power.

Whereas it is theoretically possible to envision a formula for determining the number of seats versus the population of the country/voters, it is practically impossible to have same criteria apply across the board because of the sensitivity of the delimitation process as a seriously political process that requires consultation, give and take and balancing of various competing interests. The historical,political, social economic, legal, geographical and the contextual realities/factors have more weight and relevance than a formula parse.

Equally important is the independence and the confidence that public/citizens or voters and political leaders have on the body entrusted with the determining the boundaries and seats if any. The need for a clear dispute resolution mechanism inbuilt into the delimitation process is also important in order to ensure compliance with legal requirements and ensure all those aggrieved have a way to access review and expeditious dispute resolution mechanism.

En ce que je sache dans le monde, il n'y a pas un critère universel qui détermine la configuration d'une assemblée nationale. Dans mon pays la République Démocratique du Congo, c'est la constitution qui détermine le nombre des élus à l'assemblée nationale qui est de 500. les députés sont élus au suffrage universel direct. Le parlement congolais est bicaméral, il y a le sénat aussi et les sénateurs sont élus au second degré par les députés provinciaux. C'est pour vous montrer que le parlement congolais a plus de 600 élus et tous ne sont élus de la même façon et qu'il n'y a pas un critère déterminant le nombre des élus, seul la bonne foi des élus qui avaient rédigé cette constitution soumis au référendum qui avaient déterminé ce chiffre et avalisé par les congolais

Au Sénégal, la question du nombre de députés est déterminé par la loi électorale qui répartit le nombre de députés en fonction de l'importance démographique de chaque département qui constitue pour les élections législative la circonscription électorale. Ainsi le nombre de députés à élire dans chaque département est déterminé par décret. Les départements dont la population est égale ou supérieure à cent cinquante mille (150.000) habitants obtiennent au minimum deux (02) sièges. Autant de fois ce quotient est contenu dans la taille démographique d'un département, autant ce département obtient de députés. Seulement la loi fixe un nombre qu'un département ne peut dépasser. Le maxima est fixé à sept (07) et le minima est fixé à un (01). Le  nombre total de député a évolué en fonction de la croissance démographique et du découpage administratif. Nous sommes passés de 120 à 150 députés avec un système mixte qui permet d'élire sur une liste proportionnelle 60 députés et 90 députés sur les listes majoritaires départementales sur la base du quotient indiqué plus haut c’est à dire 150.000 habitants. Cette augmentation du nombre de députés est due à l'augmentation du nombre de département qui est passé de 35 à 45. C'est dire en conclusion que le nombre de députés est fonction de deux critères essentielles à savoir la taille démographique du pays et le nombre de département administratif. Chaque pays selon son niveau de développement et les avancées démocratiques qu'il connait détermine son mode de détermination du nombre de députés. Il n'y pas de règles standard en la matière.

ABABACAR FALL

Expert électoral

Sénégal

Probablemente las respuestas ya han sido bastante explícitas y me gustaría compartir algunas características que se han introducido en México, así como otras consideraciones generales:

Existen métodos y fórmulas electorales para la  integración de un Parlamento o un Congreso (Congreso Nacional, Congreso de la Unión o Congreso General), compuestos por representantes populares, que convertidos en asambleas legislativas se erigen en órganos  constitucionales de un Estado. Su naturaleza, autonomía, objetivo  y funciones son análogas, con la diferencia de que los parlamentos  y congresos tienen su propia raíz y sistema  político: parlamentario y presidencialista.

 

 

La elección de los miembros de ambos sistemas se ciñen a la formula electoral adoptada; esto es, que la distribución de espacios o escaños de una asamblea legislativa, va en función de los votos del electorado. En esa virtud, existen dos grandes ramas de las formulas electorales: mayoritarias y proporcionales, que se aplican acorde a la votación directa y votación indirecta.  México,  sostiene en sus órdenes jurídicos el sistema presidencial, la conformación de un Congreso de la Unión, integrado por cámara de diputados y cámara de senadores, electos bajo el principio de mayoría relativa y de representación proporcional, agregando para el caso de los senadores el principio de primera minoría, lo que genera un pluripartidismo, independientemente de la fuerza de alguna organización política. 

 

The republic of Tunisia is a small country in north Africa.  Its total area is 163,610.00 sq km  (slightly larger than the state of  Georgia in US ). Its population in 2010 was almost 10 531 300.  Tunisia   has been divided into 27 constituencies at the time of the last Constituent Assembly – parliament- elections runned in October 23th, 2011.  21 Constituencies of them are already administrative departments taken on as they are.  Three great administrative departments are divided each into two constituencies.

 

In country, the formula for the number of parliament members -for every constituency - was:

 

A.   One (1) seat per 60000 habitants

B.   Add a seat if the remainder of the division of the population by 60000 is great than 30000 habitants

C.   Add a seat if population is between 270000 and 500000 habitants

D.   Add 2 seats if population is less than 270000 habitants

E.    Maximum is 10 seats

 

Condition D is favourable for more political influence to west departments into the country which were used to be marginalized and depopulated by rural exodus to east departments at the time of dictatorship in Tunisia before 2011. In addition, West departments have started Tunisian revolution against dictatorship’s regime whose president  run away in 14th January 2011.

 

The total number of parliament members was 217: 199 in country + 18 out country  

 

Just remark:   217x217x 217=     10 218 313

 

 

Please find an attempted overview of legislature sizes around the world - comparing the actual ones to the cube root rule. Some interesting things to note are that only about two dozen countries fall within +/-10% of this rule and only about three dozen countries fall within +/-20%. And China, Cuba and the Democratic Republic of Korea are interesting cases all on one end of the spectrum…