Readers reply: which electoral system is the fairest?

The long-running series in which readers answer other readers’ questions on subjects ranging from trivial flights of fancy to profound scientific and philosophical conceptsWhich electoral system is the fairest? Cherry Arden, HelensburghSend new questions to nq@theguardian.com.Single transferable vote [for Senate elections] means the most agreeable candidate is elected for the majority of voters. It also reduces the hold of the major parties as it encourages independents and smaller parties to field candidates.Voting is compulsory. This forces people to take politics seriously, and they do. The more engaged people are, the healthier the democracy.Elections are held on Saturdays, which allows most people to vote more easily. ChaosIsInOrder