How is the Indian President chosen? [Answer Limit: 250 words] [UKPSC 2016]
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The members of both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, together with the elected members of State Legislative Assemblies, form the Electoral College, which selects the President of India. The President is guaranteed to represent both the federal and state governments under this agreement.
The election is conducted using proportional representation with a single transferable vote method. In layman’s words, each voter (MPs and MLAs) casts a vote, but their vote has varying values. The value of an MLA’s vote varies per state, based on its population, although each MP’s vote has the same value.
To win, a candidate must win more than half of the total votes cast. The candidate with the lowest number of votes is eliminated and their votes are divided to the other contenders according to their choices if no candidate does this in the first round. Until one candidate obtains the majority, this process is repeated.
Elections are conducted by the Election Commission of India and the President holds office for a term of five years. Although the role is largely ceremonial, the president has important constitutional duties, such as signing bills into law and appointing key officials as prime minister.
Election of the President of India
Introduction
The President of India is elected through a systematic process outlined in the Constitution, ensuring a democratic method for selecting the head of state.
1. Electoral College
The election is conducted by an Electoral College, which comprises:
2. Voting System
The voting follows a secret ballot system using the single transferable vote method, allowing voters to rank candidates. Each vote is weighted differently based on the population of the state and the number of representatives it has in Parliament. This ensures that smaller states have a fair representation.
3. Calculation of Votes
The total votes from the states are calculated based on their population, while the votes from the Parliament are uniform. For example, in the 2022 Presidential Election, Droupadi Murmu’s election highlighted this process, as her candidacy was supported by a significant majority across various states and parliamentary members.
4. Majority Requirement
To win, a candidate must secure a majority of the total votes in the Electoral College. If no candidate receives the required majority, the process continues with the elimination of candidates with the least votes until a winner is declared.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the election of the President of India is a carefully structured process that upholds democratic principles. Recent elections, like that of Droupadi Murmu, emphasize the importance of representation and inclusivity in this constitutional mechanism.