Skip to main content

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
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Parts of the Indian Constitution – Easy Trick for UPSC & Other Exams

Parts of the Indian Constitution — Mnemonic Parts of the Indian Constitution — Mnemonic U Can Fly Directly From US to UP to Meet Civil Servent Ram; Fruits Taste Sweet To Eat So Only Eat Maggi As Tasty Snack. Trick (word) Part Subject Articles U Part I The Union & its Territories 1 – 4 Can Part II Citizenship 5 – 11 Fly Part III Fundamental Rights 12 – 35 Directly Part IV Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) 36 – 51 From Part IV-A Fundamental Duties 51A U Part V The Union (President, Parliament, etc.) 52 – 151 S Part VI The States (Governor, State Legislature, etc.) 152 – 237 Part VII States in Part B of the First Schedule (Repealed) 238 U Part VIII The Union Territories 239 – 242 P Part IX The Panchayats 243 – 243O Meet Part IX-A The Municipal...
Post a Comment
Read more

UPSC CAPF-AC 2025 Geography Questions with Answers – For Practice & Revision

UPSC CAPF-AC 2025 Geography Questions Asked in the UPSC CAPF-AC 2025 Exam The following questions will not only help in the CAPF-AC exam but will also benefit future aspirants preparing for UPSC, CDS, State PCS, and other competitive exams. 1. Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. The time at 180° longitude is exactly 12 hours from the 0° longitude, irrespective of whether one travels westward or eastward from the Prime Meridian. 2. A person moving eastward on Tuesday will count the day as Wednesday once the International Date Line is crossed. Select the answer using the code given below: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 2. Consider the following statements with reference to salt weathering: 1. Salts in rocks expand due to thermal action, hydration and crystallization. 2. Salts like calcium, sodium, magnesium and barium have a tendency to expand. 3. Salt weathering is a typical example of ch...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Ultimate Trick to Remember India’s 11 Classical Languages: TaSTe KaMaO MBAP²

India’s cultural identity is deeply rooted in its languages — not just spoken, but classical. These ancient tongues are time-tested vessels of history, literature, science, and spiritual knowledge. Recognizing their unparalleled significance, the Government of India has granted Classical Language status to 11 languages that have stood the test of time. What Are Classical Languages? According to the Ministry of Culture, a language is declared Classical when it meets four essential criteria: 1. High antiquity of its early texts (over 1500 years). 2. A rich and diverse ancient literature, unmatched by modern works. 3. An independent literary tradition, not borrowed from others. 4. A historical and cultural legacy that still influences society today. These languages aren’t just old — they’re immortal. " TaSTe KaMaO " = The first 6 languages " MBAP² " = The 5 languages added in 2024 Mnemonic: “TaSTe KaMaO MBAP²” Letter Language Year Dec...
Post a Comment
Read more

India’s Minerals & Metals 2024–25 Quick Notes For UPSC & Other Govt Exams

Minerals and Metals (2024–25) A. Metallic Minerals – Major Producing States Mineral Top Producing States Bauxite 1. Odisha – 74% 2. Gujarat – 9% 3. Jharkhand – 8% Chromite Odisha – 100% Copper 1. Madhya Pradesh – 69% 2. Rajasthan – 31% Primary Gold 1. Karnataka – 98% 2. Jharkhand – Remaining Iron Ore 1. Odisha – 55% 2. Karnataka – 16% 3. Chhattisgarh – 15% Lead & Zinc Rajasthan – 100% Manganese Ore 1. Maharashtra – 31% 2. Madhya Pradesh – 28% 3. Odisha – 17% Estimated Value (2024–25): ₹1,28,261 crore Growth: Increased by 0.13% over the previous year B. Non-Metallic Minerals – Major Producing States 1. Limestone Rajasthan – 23% Madhya Pradesh – 14% Andhra Pradesh – 13% Chhattisgarh – 11% Karnataka – 9% 2. Magnesite Tamil Nadu – 61% Uttarak...
Post a Comment
Read more