The process of electing India’s President

Context: The tenure of the current President is set to end in July this year, which is also when the 16th Indian Presidential election will be held to elect his successor.  

How is the President elected?  

The Indian President is elected through an electoral college system, by proportional representation by a single transferable vote. The Elections are conducted and overseen by the Election Commission of India.  

The electoral college is based on all elected members of Parliament (MPs), and the elected members of State Legislative Assemblies and Union Territories (MLAs).  

Before voting, in the nomination stage, the candidate files nomination with a signed list of 50 proposers and 50 seconders. These can be anyone from the members of the electoral college from the State or national level. This rule was implemented by EC in 1974. An elector cannot propose or second the nomination of more than one candidate.  

What is the value of each vote, and how is it calculated?  

A vote cast by each MP or MLA is not calculated as one vote. There is a larger vote value attached to it.  

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 is further divided by 1000. For example – U.P. has the highest vote value for each MLAs at 208, while Arunachal Pradesh is just 8. This population is taken from the figure of the 1971 Census (84th Amendment Act). This will change after Census 2026.  

The fixed value of each vote by an MP of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha is 708.  

What is required to secure a victory?  

A candidate requires a specific quota of votes to win. While counting, EC totals up all the valid votes cast through paper ballots, and to win, candidates should secure 50% +1 of the total votes cast.  

The voters of the electoral college write the names of candidates on the ballot paper in the order of preference.  

What can be expected in the upcoming presidential polls? 

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu is reportedly the front-runner for the presidential race nominated by the ruling NDA, unless a second term ticket is given to Mr. Kovind.  

Opposition parties are contemplating jointly putting up a candidate for the race.  

Source: This post is created based on the article “The process of electing India’s President” published on 13/April/2022 in The Hindu.