Q. Consider the following statements with respect to the comparison between Indian Vice-President and American VicePresident:
1. While Indian Vice-President is elected indirectly by Electoral College, the U.S Vice –President is elected directly by the people.
2. Unlike the American Vice-President, the Indian Vice-President does not assume the office of the President when it falls vacant for the unexpired term.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Exp) Option b is the correct answer.
Though the office of the Indian Vice-President is modelled on the lines of the American Vice-President, there is a difference.
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Vice-President of India is elected not directly by the people but by the method of indirect election. He is elected by the members of an electoral college consisting of the members of both Houses of Parliament. Similarly, the US President and Vice President are not directly elected by citizens. Instead, they are chosen by “electors” through an “Electoral College”. In this system, it is possible for a candidate to win the popular vote and still lose out on the presidency.
Statement 2 is correct: The American Vice-President succeeds to the presidency when it falls vacant, and remains President for the unexpired term of his predecessor. The Indian Vice-President, on the other hand, does not assume the office of the President when it falls vacant for the unexpired term. He merely serves as an acting President until the new President assumes charge.
