How is the President of India Elected?

India is the largest democracy in the world. In a democracy, people elect their leaders through elections. Just like we elect members of Parliament and State Assemblies, India also elects its President. The President is the head of the nation and holds the highest constitutional office in the country. But unlike Members of Parliament (MPs) or Members of Legislative Assemblies (MLAs), the President of India is not directly elected by the people. Instead, he or she is chosen through a special process that involves both the Parliament and the State Legislatures. let us understand in simple and easy words who elects the President, what the process is, and why it is done in this way.

Who is the President of India?

The President of India is called the first citizen of the country. He or she is the head of the Indian state. The President represents the unity, integrity, and strength of the nation. Though most powers of running the government are used by the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers, the President is the constitutional head.

The President performs many duties such as:

• Signing bills passed by Parliament so that they become laws.
• Appointing the Prime Minister, judges, governors, and other officials.
• Acting as the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces.
• Representing India in foreign relations.

Because the office is so important, the election process of the President has been designed very carefully by the Constitution of India.

Term of the President

The President of India is elected for five years. After completing the term, the same person can also be re-elected. There is no limit to how many times a person can become President, but in practice, most have served only one or two terms.

Who Can Become the President of India?

The Constitution lays down some basic conditions to become the President:

1.The person must be a citizen of India.

2.The person must be at least 35 years of age.

3.The person must be qualified to be a member of the Lok Sabha (the Lower House of Parliament).

4.The person must not hold any office of profit under the Government of India, state governments, or local authorities.

These conditions make sure that only experienced and respected people can contest for this highest post.

Who Elects the President?

The President is not elected directly by the people. Instead, he or she is elected by an Electoral College.

This Electoral College consists of:

1.Elected members of both Houses of Parliament – Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

2.Elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of all states.

3.Elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of Union Territories of Delhi, Puducherry, and Jammu & Kashmir.

Nominated members of Parliament or state assemblies do not take part in this election. Also, members of Legislative Councils (in states that have them) do not participate.

This system is followed because the President represents the whole country. So, both the Union (Parliament) and the States (Assemblies) should have a say in choosing him or her.

How Are Votes Calculated?

One of the most interesting parts of the Presidential election is the value of votes. Unlike normal elections where one person has one vote, here the votes are given different values.

• The value of the vote of each MLA depends on the population of the state.
• The formula used is:

Value of vote of an MLA = (Population of the state ÷ Total elected MLAs of the state) × 1/1000

For example, if a state has a large population, its MLAs will have higher vote value.

• The value of the vote of each MP is decided so that the total value of MPs’ votes equals the total value of MLAs’ votes in the whole country.

This system keeps a balance between the Union and the States.

Example to Understand Vote Value

Suppose State A has a population of 2 crore and 200 MLAs.

• Value of each MLA’s vote = (2,00,00,000 ÷ 200) ÷ 1000 = 100.
  So, each MLA in that state has 100 votes.

Now suppose the total value of all MLAs’ votes in India is 5,49,495. Then the total value of MPs’ votes is also fixed at 5,49,495. This way, both sides are equal.

How Is the Election Conducted?

The election is conducted by the Election Commission of India. The process is done by secret ballot and follows the single transferable vote system.

Here is the step-by-step process:

1.Nomination of Candidates – Any eligible person can be nominated, but the nomination must be supported by at least 50 electors as proposers and 50 as seconders. This prevents non-serious candidates from contesting.

2.Voting – All MPs and MLAs who are part of the Electoral College cast their votes. The ballot is secret, meaning no one can be forced to show whom they voted for.

3.Single Transferable Vote System – Voters do not just vote for one candidate. They rank the candidates in order of preference (1, 2, 3, etc.).

4.Counting of Votes – If a candidate gets more than 50% of the total value of votes in the first round, he or she is declared elected. If not, the candidate with the least votes is eliminated, and the second preference votes are transferred. This process continues until one candidate crosses the 50% mark.

This ensures that the winning candidate has the support of the majority.

Why This Indirect Method?

You may wonder why people do not directly elect the President. The reason is that India follows a Parliamentary form of government, not a Presidential one.

• In India, the real executive powers lie with the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers.
• The President is the constitutional head and represents the nation.
• A direct election could have made the President a rival power center to the Prime Minister, which might create conflicts.

Therefore, the makers of the Constitution decided on an indirect election where both Parliament and State Assemblies together elect the President. This makes the President’s position strong yet balanced.

Oath of the President

Once elected, the President takes an oath before the Chief Justice of India. The oath is to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution and the law. The President also promises to devote himself or herself to the service of the people.

What Happens if the Office Becomes Vacant?

If the President dies, resigns, or is removed before completing the term, the Vice President of India acts as the President until a new President is elected.

The election for a new President must be held within six months.

Past Presidential Elections

Since independence, India has held several Presidential elections. Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the first President of India and the only one to serve two full terms. Over the years, many distinguished leaders, scholars, and public servants have occupied this office.

Importance of the Election Process

The election of the President is not just a formality. It is an important event in Indian democracy because:

• It shows the balance of power between the Union and the States.
• It highlights India’s commitment to a democratic and federal system.
• It ensures that the President is chosen by a wide representation of the people, though indirectly.

The election of the President of India is a unique and carefully designed process. It is different from the general elections we are used to, but it ensures that the President represents both the Union and the States equally. By using the Electoral College, value of votes, and single transferable vote system, the Constitution makers created a method that is fair, balanced, and democratic.

The President of India may not hold day-to-day powers of running the government, but the office is of great respect and importance. Understanding how the President is elected helps us appreciate the depth of India’s democratic system.