Candidates don't assign preferences. Preferences are decided by what numbers the voter puts on their card. If you vote '2' for a candidate, it doesn't matter what the person you voted '1' for wants, that's where your second preference will go.
This doesn't stop parties making "preference deals" with each other, but those deals are solely to determine what order the numbers go on the "How to vote" cards that are handed out in front of the polling booths: the assumption being that enough of the party faithful will follow these cards to make a difference in the preference run-off.
Re: Election fun
Date: 19 Jan 2004 03:41 (UTC)This doesn't stop parties making "preference deals" with each other, but those deals are solely to determine what order the numbers go on the "How to vote" cards that are handed out in front of the polling booths: the assumption being that enough of the party faithful will follow these cards to make a difference in the preference run-off.