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Election of the President of India: Article 54, Electoral College & Voting System Explained

This topic explains the electoral system used for electing the President of India, including proportional representation, single transferable vote system, and the electoral college composition under Article 54 of the Constitution.

Election of the President of India

Election of the President of India → Article 54

The election of the President is held in accordance with the system of Proportional Representation by means of Single Transferable Vote and the voting is by Secret Ballot.

Proportional Representation (PR)

States like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal have a huge population. In one electoral constituency of an MLA there are usually 8–10 lakh voters who elect their representative.

While in smaller states like Goa, Sikkim, North-Eastern states, Kerala one MLA constituency generally has 50,000–2 lakh voters who elect their representative.

Due to this huge population difference, MLAs from different states cannot have equal vote value. Hence, proportional representation is followed to ensure fairness in the electoral process.

Example:

  • Uttar Pradesh → 1 vote = 1,00,000 population
  • Goa → 1 vote = 50,000 population

Value of Vote of an MLA

Formula:

Value of Vote of an MLA = (Total population of the State as per 1971 Census) / (Total number of elected MLAs × 1000)

Example Calculation:

5,00,00,000 ÷ (500 × 1000) = 100

Therefore, Value of vote of 1 MLA = 100

Value of Vote of an MP

Formula:

Value of Vote of an MP = (Sum total of the vote value of all MLAs) / (Total number of elected MPs)

Example Calculation:

10,00,000 ÷ 1000 = 1000

Therefore, Value of vote of 1 MP = 1000

Note: The vote value of MPs from different states across the country is the same, while the vote value of MLAs differs from state to state.

Single Transferable Vote System (STVS)

In this system, Each member of the electoral college is given only one ballot paper. The voter, while casting his vote, is recquired to indicate his preference by marking I, II, III, IV etc. against the names of candidates.

Single Transferable Vote System in Presidential Election

Quota = 50% + 1 of the total valid votes

The vote value of candidate D is added to candidates C and B based on voter preferences.

Therefore, the candidate who achieves the quota wins the Presidential Election.

Electoral College for Presidential Election

Election of the President in India is done by an Electoral College in which comprise of the following members:-

  1. All elected members of Lok Sabha
  2. All elected members of Rajya Sabha
  3. All elected members of State Legislative Assemblies
  4. As per the 70th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 elected members of Legislative Assemblies of Delhi and Puducherry

Important Numerical Facts

MLAs - State with Lowest Number

Sikkim has the lowest number of MLAs:

  • Total MLAs: 32 MLAs
  • Value of vote of 1 MLA of Sikkim = 7
  • Total vote value of Sikkim MLAs = 7 × 32 = 224

MLAs - State with Highest Number

Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of MLAs:

  • Total MLAs: 403
  • Value of vote of 1 MLA of U.P. = 208
  • Total vote value of U.P. MLAs = 403 × 208 = 83,824

MPs (Members of Parliament)

  • Elected MPs in Rajya Sabha = 233
  • Elected MPs in Lok Sabha = 543
  • Total elected MPs = 776

Nomination Requirement

  • To contest the Presidential election, must be suscribed by at least 50 electors as proposers and 50 electors as seconders.
  • Security deposit: ₹15,000 (forfeited if 1/6th votes not secured).
  • For Vice-President required support is: 20 proposers + 20 seconders = 40

Special Census Notes

Important:

  • Jharkhand, Uttarakhand and Chhattisgarh were formed in 2000; Census considered for these states is 2001
  • For Telangana, census considered is 2011
  • For all other states, the census considered is 1971
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