electoral threshold

An electoral threshold is a minimum percentage of total votes a political party must obtain in an election to be eligible for representation in a legislative body. Its purpose is to prevent very small or fringe parties from gaining seats, helping to promote stability and streamline governance. For example, if the threshold is 5%, a party needs at least 5% of the total votes to qualify for seats, ensuring that only parties with broad support can enter the legislature. This threshold varies by country and election system, balancing fair representation with effective governance.