Why an Indirect Election?
The framers of India's Constitution made a deliberate choice for an indirect election. In a parliamentary democracy, the Prime Minister is the head of government, holding executive power. The President is the ceremonial head of state. A direct, nationwide
election for a largely ceremonial role could create a rival power centre to the Prime Minister and would be a massive, costly exercise. By having elected representatives vote, the system acknowledges the President's position as a figure of authority chosen by those who have the people's direct mandate, without the political heat of a general election campaign.
The Electoral College: Who Votes?
The President is chosen by an electoral college, but it's not a place; it's a group of people. This group consists of the elected Members of Parliament (MPs) from both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. It also includes the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies (MLAs) of all states and the Union Territories of Delhi, Puducherry, and Jammu and Kashmir. It's important to note who is excluded: nominated members of Parliament and state assemblies, as well as members of state Legislative Councils, do not get to vote in the presidential election.
The Value of a Vote: A Balancing Act
Not every vote is equal. The system is designed to ensure a balance between the power of the central Parliament and the state assemblies. The value of an MLA's vote is different from state to state. It's calculated based on the state's population (using 1971 census data) divided by the total number of elected MLAs in that state, with the result then divided by 1,000. This means an MLA from a populous state like Uttar Pradesh has a vote with a higher value than an MLA from a smaller state like Sikkim. The value of an MP's vote is uniform. It's calculated by taking the total value of all MLA votes from across the country and dividing it by the total number of elected MPs (from both houses). This intricate formula ensures that states have a proportional say and that the combined votes of all MLAs roughly equal the combined votes of all MPs.
Proportional Representation and the Single Transferable Vote
The voting itself doesn't use a simple 'one person, one vote' system. It follows a method called proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote, conducted via a secret ballot. Instead of picking just one candidate, each elector (MP or MLA) ranks the candidates in their order of preference (1, 2, 3, and so on). This is designed to minimize 'wasted' votes and build consensus. A candidate doesn't just need the most votes; they need to achieve a specific 'quota' to win. This quota is calculated by taking the total value of all valid votes polled, dividing it by two, and adding one. This ensures the winner has a true majority.
How a Winner Is Decided
During the counting process, only the first-preference votes are tallied initially. If a candidate secures the required quota with first-preference votes alone, they are declared the winner. If no one reaches the quota, the process of elimination begins. The candidate with the fewest first-preference votes is knocked out. The ballot papers that listed this eliminated candidate as the first choice are then redistributed. The second-preference votes on those ballots are transferred to the remaining candidates. This process of eliminating the last-place candidate and transferring their votes according to the next preference continues until one candidate crosses the quota. This ensures the final winner has a broad base of support from the electoral college.
