Final answer:
A party must secure six per cent of the total votes and win at least two seats in a state legislative assembly to be recognized as a state party. Proportional representation systems allocate legislative seats based on the percentage of votes each party receives, thus enabling multiple parties to secure representation in the legislature.
Step-by-step explanation:
A party that secures at least six per cent of the total votes in an election to the legislative assembly of a state and wins at least two seats is recognized as a state party. This qualification criteria help ensure that a party has a significant level of support within the state to be considered a genuine player in the political landscape. The 'six per cent and two seats' rule is part of the larger electoral framework which includes different types of representation systems, such as proportional representation.In a proportional representation system, voters typically choose a party rather than individual candidates, and seats are allocated to parties based on their percentage of the vote. This allows multiple parties to gain representation in a legislature and reflects a diversity of political preferences among the electorate. In contrast, systems that employ a first-past-the-post or winner-take-all approach often result in only one winner per district, which can marginalize smaller parties.The efficacy of proportional representation can be influenced by local election laws, which can vary greatly and have significant effects on party success and the political landscape. For a more inclusive political environment where smaller parties can participate effectively, proportional representation offers a means to translate their support into legislative seats, thereby giving them a voice in government.