This time around, 14 different parties or political groupings (several different allied parties can sit on one ticket, but for the sake of convenience we will refer to them as 'parties' below) will be vying for voters' affections. 

The system operates on the principle of proportional representation, but with one major caveat: in order to win seats in parliament, a party must win at least 5% of the total number of votes cast (not 5% of the total electorate).

Here is a brief ...