MINORITY parties will have their strongest chance yet to gain power in Victoria�s Upper House when the state election takes place on 25 November.

The State Government reformed the Upper House, also known as the Legislative Council, in 2003.

Instead of the current 22 electorates with two members each, the new Upper House will consist of eight regions with five members each.

The new system will use a proportional voting system meaning candidates will need just one-sixth of the total vote, plus one, to gain a seat.

This change from the preferential voting system means all candidates will need just over 17 per cent of the region�s vote to gain an Upper House seat.

This should place minority parties in a better position to win seats in the Upper House as they need a lower percentage of the vote compared to the previous preferential system. The Upper House effectively debates, delays, or passes legislation drafted by the lower house.

Greater Dandenong is serviced by the South Eastern Metropolitan Region, and the candidates announced so far are: Liberal Party, Gordon Rich-Phillips, Inga Peulich, Ken Ong, Susanne La Fontaine, John Aivaliotis; ALP, Adem Somyurek, Gavin Jennings, Bob Smith; Greens, Jim Reiher; Democrats, Karen Bailey; People Power,Linda Hancock.