Commentary on Sections and Schedules General Elections Sections 8 and 9: Calculation of Electoral Region Figures and Allocation of seats to electoral region members
55.These sections set out the method for determining the allocation of the four electoral region seats for each electoral region, using a “d’Hondt” calculation.
56.The starting point is the calculation, for each electoral region, of the initial “electoral region figure” for each registered political party and individual candidate. Section 8 explains how this is to be calculated.
57.In each Assembly region, the successful Assembly constituency members are to be identified before the electoral region figures are calculated. The electoral region figure is then calculated in each electoral region, for each registered political party that has submitted a list of candidates to be elected as the Assembly regional members in that region, by the following formula:
58.For an individual electoral region candidate the electoral region figure is the total number of votes cast for that candidate.
59.The electoral region figures of all parties and of any individual regional candidates are compared. The first electoral region seat is allocated to the political party or individual regional candidate with the highest electoral region figure. The candidate elected is the one at the top of that party’s list.
60.If a seat is allocated to a party, its electoral region figure must be re-calculated by adding the seat allocated to figure B and dividing figure A by (new figure B + 1). This re-calculated electoral region figure then replaces that party’s initial electoral region figure.
61.The electoral region figures of all parties and of any individual regional candidates (other than an individual candidate to whom a seat has already been allocated) are then compared again and the next electoral region seat is allocated to the party or individual candidate with the highest electoral figure. In the case of a party the candidate elected is the one at the top of that party’s list, disregarding any candidate already elected. If a seat is allocated to a party, the electoral figure of that party is again re-calculated by adding a further seat to figure B, and re-applying the formula X = A/(B + 1).
62.The process is repeated until all four regional seats have been allocated.
63.If all the candidates on a political party’s regional list have been elected before all four regional seats have been filled, that party is disregarded in subsequently assessing which party or individual has the highest electoral region figure.
64.Provision is made for situations in which, at any comparison of electoral figures, the highest electoral figure is shared by two or more parties or individual candidates. If the number of unallocated seats is equal to or greater than the number of parties or individual candidates sharing the highest electoral figure then a seat is allocated to each. If not, the tie is to be broken, if possible, by increasing figure A by 1 and comparing the electoral figures again. If there are still two parties or individual candidates with equal electoral figures and not enough unallocated seats for all of them, the regional returning officer is to decide the matter by the drawing of lots.