[Article 54] Election of the President of India

Under Article 54, president is elected not directly by the people but by members of electoral college consisting of

• The elected members of both Houses of Parliament.
• The elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of States and
• The elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of Union territories of Delhi and Puducherry.

Note that:

• The President is elected by an electoral college, not directly by the people.
• When Assembly is dissolved, the members cease to be qualified to vote in the presidential elections.
• The president’s election is held in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote and the voting is done through secret ballot.
• A candidate has to submit a deposit of ₹15,000 in cash in , which is forfeited if the candidate fails to secure at least one-sixth of the total votes cast.

The electoral college is responsible for electing the President of India through a system of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote.

Value of Votes in Presidential Elections

• Value of the Vote of MLA = Total Population of state / (Total number of elected MLAs * 1000)
• Value of the Vote of an MP = all MLAs of all states / Total number of elected MPs

The value of an MLA’s vote in India’s Presidential elections varies by state, and is determined by dividing the state’s total population (based on the 1971 census) by the number of elected members in its Legislative Assembly, and then dividing that number by 1000. The value of an MP’s vote is calculated by taking the total value of all MLAs’ votes across states and dividing it by the total number of elected MPs in Parliament.

• Uttar Pradesh: Has the highest vote value for each MLA at 208.
• Other States: The value ranges from 7 for Sikkim to 151 for West Bengal.
• Delhi and Puducherry: These Union Territories also have their respective MLA vote values, which are 58 and 16 respectively.

Election Process

1. Nomination: Candidates must be nominated by at least 50 electors as proposers and 50 electors as seconders.
2. Scrutiny: The nominations are scrutinized by the Election Commission.
3. Voting: Voting is conducted through a secret ballot.
4. Counting: Votes are counted, and the candidate with the highest number of votes is declared elected.

FAQs on the Election of the President

1. Who elects the President of India?

The President of India is elected by an electoral college consisting of the elected members of both Houses of Parliament and the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of States and Union territories.

2. What is the voting system used in the presidential election?

The voting system used in the presidential election is the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote, and voting is done through a secret ballot.

3. What is the value of an MLA’s vote in the presidential election?

The value of an MLA’s vote in the presidential election is calculated based on the total population of the state divided by the number of elected MLAs, and then divided by 1000. This value varies from state to state.

4. What is the deposit amount required for presidential candidates?

The deposit amount required for presidential candidates is ₹15,000, which is forfeited if the candidate fails to secure at least one-sixth of the total votes cast.

5. Can the President of India be directly elected by the people?

No, the President of India is not directly elected by the people. Instead, the election is conducted by an electoral college consisting of elected members of Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies.

6. What happens if the Assembly is dissolved before the presidential election?

If the Assembly is dissolved before the presidential election, the members cease to be qualified to vote in the presidential elections.

7. What is the significance of the single transferable vote system?

The single transferable vote system ensures that votes are distributed proportionally among candidates, allowing for a more representative outcome in the presidential election. It helps in minimizing wasted votes and ensures that the elected candidate has broad support across the electoral college.

8. How is the value of an MP’s vote calculated?

The value of an MP’s vote is calculated by taking the total value of all MLAs’ votes across states and dividing it by the total number of elected MPs in Parliament. This ensures that the representation of states in the presidential election is balanced according to their population and number of elected representatives.

9. What is the role of the Election Commission in the presidential election?

The Election Commission is responsible for overseeing the entire presidential election process, including the scrutiny of nominations, conducting the voting, and ensuring that the election is free and fair. It also declares the results of the election.

10. What is the significance of the electoral college in the presidential election?

The electoral college plays a crucial role in the presidential election as it represents the collective will of the elected representatives of the people. It ensures that the President is elected by a body that reflects the democratic structure of the country, rather than through a direct popular vote. This system aims to balance the influence of different states and regions in the election of the President, promoting a more equitable representation across the nation.