First Past the Post

An electoral system where the candidate with the most votes in a constituency wins.

Abbreviation: FPTP

Also used as: FPTP, first-past-the-post, first past post

Source / explainer: Read GOV.UK guidance on elections

Last reviewed: 3 August 2026

First Past the Post is the voting system used for UK House of Commons elections. In each constituency, voters choose one candidate, and the candidate with the most votes wins the seat. The winner does not need to receive more than half of all votes cast, only more votes than any other candidate.

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