Election of the President of India

Electoral College: The President of India is elected by an Electoral College consisting of:

1. Members of Parliament (MPs): Both Lok Sabha (House of the People) and Rajya Sabha (Council of States) members.
2. Members of Legislative Assemblies (MLAs): Elected members of State Legislative Assemblies and Legislative Assemblies of Union Territories (Delhi, Puducherry, and Jammu & Kashmir).

Election Process:

1. Nomination: Candidates for the presidency must be nominated by at least 50 MPs or MLAs and endorsed by at least 50 other members. For instance, in the 2022 presidential election, Droupadi Murmu was nominated by the ruling NDA coalition.
2. Voting System: The election is conducted through a secret ballot using a single transferable vote system. Each voter’s ballot is marked with preferences, and votes are transferred based on the preferences until a candidate secures a majority.
3. Weighted Votes: The votes are weighted based on the population of states and the number of elected members in the Electoral College. For example, Uttar Pradesh has more weight compared to smaller states like Sikkim.

Recent Example: In the 2022 presidential election, Droupadi Murmu won with a significant majority, receiving 64% of the votes. This victory highlighted the effective implementation of the weighted voting system and the role of both Parliament and State Assemblies in electing the President.

The process ensures a broad representation of both central and state interests, making it a balanced method for electing the head of state.