What has been a consequence of the STV electoral system in Northern Ireland?

The consequence of the Single Transferable Vote (STV) electoral system in Northern Ireland is that it has led to a more representative government that includes smaller parties. STV is designed to accommodate a greater diversity of political viewpoints, as it allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference. This system reduces the likelihood that votes will be 'wasted' on losing candidates, providing smaller parties the opportunity to gain representation in the Assembly, which would be less likely under a first-past-the-post system. As a result, the legislative body reflects a wider spectrum of public opinion, thereby fostering a government that is more representative of the electorate.

Other possible outcomes, such as the necessity for coalition building, may be a natural consequence of a multiparty system, but they are not the direct result of STV as the primary mechanism of representation. Single-party dominance would contradict the very nature of STV, which encourages multiple parties to gain seats and share power, while a decrease in voter turnout is not inherently caused by the electoral system itself, but can be influenced by a variety of external factors.