Nimekirjavalimissüsteemis

Nimekirjavalimissüsteemis, often translated as "list system" or "party-list system," is a type of electoral system used to elect representatives to a legislative body. In this system, voters cast ballots for a political party rather than for an individual candidate. Political parties then compile lists of candidates before the election. The seats in the legislature are allocated to parties in proportion to the total number of votes each party receives.

There are several variations of the list system. Closed list systems require parties to predetermine the order of candidates on their lists. Voters cannot alter this order and, if a party wins seats, the candidates are elected in the order they appear on the list. In open list systems, voters have some influence over the order of candidates. They may be able to vote for a specific candidate on a party's list, which can affect who is elected if the party reaches a certain threshold. Partially open lists exist, offering a middle ground between closed and open systems.

The primary advantage of nimekirjavalimissüsteemis is that it generally leads to proportional representation, meaning the composition of the legislature closely reflects the overall vote distribution. This can result in a wider range of political views being represented and can reduce the likelihood of "wasted votes." However, critics sometimes argue that it can lead to fragmented parliaments with many small parties, potentially making government formation more difficult. It can also weaken the direct link between constituents and their representatives, as voters are primarily supporting a party.