Q. With reference to the election of the President of India, consider the following statements:

  1. The value of the vote of each MLA varies from State to State.
  2. The value of the vote of MPs of the Lok Sabha is more than the value of the vote of MPs of the Rajya Sabha.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • 1 only
  • 2 only
  • Both 1 and 2
  • Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (a) 1 only

Notes:
  • The electoral college of President of India consists of elected members of Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, Legislative Assemblies of the states, and the Legislative Assemblies of the Union Territories of Delhi and Puducherry.
  • The elections are conducted and overseen by the Election Commission (EC) of India.
  • He is elected indirectly by the principle of Proportional Representation by means of Single Transferable Vote.
  • Under Article 324 of the Constitution of India, the authority to conduct elections to the Office of President is vested in the Election Commission of India.
  • The value of votes of MLAs would differ from State to State as it is based on population criterion and population of each state is different.
    • As per the Constitution (Eighty-fourth Amendment) Act 2001, currently, the population of States is taken from the figures of the 1971 Census. This will change when the figures of the Census taken after the year 2026 are published.
  • The value of each MLA’s vote is determined by dividing the population of the State by the number of MLAs in its legislative Assembly, and the quotient achieved is further divided by 1000.
    • Uttar Pradesh for instance, has the highest vote value for each of its MLAs, at 208. The value of one MLA’s vote in Maharashtra is 175, while that in Arunachal Pradesh is just 8.
  • However, the value of votes of all MPs is the same whether in Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha.
    • The fixed value of each vote by an MP of the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha is 700.
  • Related Constitutional Provisions:
    • Article 54: Election of President
    • Article 55: Manner of election of President.
    • Article 56 :Term of office of President
    • Article 57: Eligibility for re-election.
    • Article 58: Qualifications for election as President