Points to Remember:
- The President of India is the head of state, elected indirectly by an electoral college.
- The election process is governed by the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952.
- The process involves nomination, campaigning, and counting of votes.
- The winning candidate must secure an absolute majority of votes.
Introduction:
The President of India is the supreme head of the Republic, a largely ceremonial but constitutionally significant position. The President is not directly elected by the people but through an indirect electoral college comprising elected members of both Houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) and the Legislative Assemblies of all states and union territories. Article 54 of the Indian Constitution outlines the procedure for presidential elections. The process is meticulously defined by the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952, ensuring a fair and transparent selection of the nation’s highest office.
Body:
1. The Electoral College:
The electoral college comprises Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of Legislative Assemblies (MLAs). The voting power of MLAs is weighted according to the population of their respective states, ensuring representation proportionate to state size. Nominated members of Parliament and state legislatures do not participate in the election.
2. Nomination Process:
Any citizen of India who is eligible to be a member of the Lok Sabha can be nominated as a presidential candidate. The nomination requires the support of at least 50 proposers and 50 seconders, who must be electors themselves. The nomination papers are scrutinised by the Election Commission of India.
3. Campaigning:
While the election is indirect, candidates engage in campaigning to garner support from electors. This involves lobbying with political parties and individual electors, highlighting their vision and experience.
4. Voting and Counting:
The election is conducted by the Election Commission of India. Voting is by secret ballot. The votes are counted according to the prescribed procedure, with the value of each vote varying for MPs and MLAs based on the population-weighted formula.
5. Declaration of Results:
The candidate securing an absolute majority of the total valid votes cast is declared elected. If no candidate secures an absolute majority in the first round, subsequent rounds of voting are held until a candidate secures the required majority.
Example: The 2022 Presidential Election:
In the 2022 Presidential election, Draupadi Murmu was elected as the President of India. She secured an absolute majority of votes cast by the electoral college, defeating her opponent Yashwant Sinha. The election highlighted the importance of the electoral college system and the role of political parties in influencing the outcome. The relatively smooth conduct of the election demonstrated the effectiveness of the established procedures.
Conclusion:
The election of the President of India is a complex yet well-defined process ensuring a fair and representative selection of the head of state. The system, while indirect, balances the interests of different states and ensures that the President enjoys broad-based legitimacy. The use of an electoral college, while potentially susceptible to political maneuvering, generally leads to the selection of a candidate with significant political experience and national standing. The process, as exemplified by the 2022 election, demonstrates the robustness of India’s democratic institutions and its commitment to a peaceful and orderly transfer of power. Moving forward, ensuring transparency and further streamlining the process could enhance its efficiency and public perception. This will contribute to strengthening India’s democratic fabric and upholding its constitutional values.
CGPCS Notes brings Prelims and Mains programs for CGPCS Prelims and CGPCS Mains Exam preparation. Various Programs initiated by CGPCS Notes are as follows:-