Indian Presidential Election Notes

Indian Presidential Election - Notes

English

\[ \text{MP Vote Value} = \frac{\text{Total Vote Value of all State MLAs}}{\text{Number of Elected MPs}} \]

(MP Vote Value)

* In the 2001 Presidential election, the vote value of an MP was fixed at '700'.
* The total vote value of all members of the Legislative Assemblies in 28 states & Delhi, Pondicherry is approximately equal to the vote value of MPs elected to Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha.
* The equality in total vote value of MLAs and MPs signifies India's 'Federal System'.

\[ \text{Quota Vote} = \frac{\text{Total Valid Votes Polled}}{\text{Number of Seats to be filled} + 1} + 1 \]

(Quota Vote)

* If no candidate secures more than 50% of votes, i.e., the quota vote in the first instance, the second preference votes of the candidate with the least votes are transferred to other contesting candidates.
* In the 1969 Presidential election, V.V. Giri won through second preference votes. V.V. Giri won as C.D. Deshmukh's second preference votes were transferred.
* V.V. Giri was elected President with the narrowest majority and through preferential voting.
** Members of the Constituent Assembly who proposed Direct Election for the Indian President - Prof. K.T. Shah
** Those who justified the current method of electing the President as equivalent to Direct Election - Ambedkar & Nehru.

>> Unless the President resigns, or is removed through impeachment, or if the Supreme Court invalidates the Presidential election, the term ends prematurely. If there is no untimely death, the President's term is 5 years.
* If the President of India resigns, they must submit their resignation letter to the Vice-President. According to amendments made in the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act of 1969, if the office of the Vice-President is vacant when the President resigns, the resignation must be submitted to the Chief Justice of India (S.C. CJ).

* When the office of Vice-President is vacant at the time of the President's resignation, the resignation letter should be addressed to the Vice-President. The resignation letter should be drafted addressing the Vice-President. Copies of it should be sent to the Supreme Court Chief Justice and the Prime Minister.

>> A person can contest for the post of President any number of times.
* Only the first President of India, Babu Rajendra Prasad, held the post for two terms and set a tradition by not contesting for a 3rd term.

>> Must be a citizen of India.
>> Must have completed 35 years of age.
>> Must be qualified to be elected as a member of Parliament.
>> Should not hold any office of profit under the Central or State government.
* Vice-President, Governors, Central and State Ministers, MPs, MLAs are not considered to be holding offices of profit.
* The election of the President of India is conducted in accordance with the Indian Presidential and Vice-Presidential Election Act - 1952.
* The power to determine other qualifications rests with the Parliament.
* A candidate contesting for President must be proposed by at least 50 members of the 'Electoral College' and seconded by 50 members.
* A candidate contesting for President must pay a deposit of ₹15,000/-.
* Individuals who contested for President must secure at least - 1/6th of the votes to get their deposit back.

>> The President's salary is determined by the Parliament.
>> The salary is paid from the Consolidated Fund of India.
>> Not covered under IT (Income Tax).
>> Voting is not allowed in Parliament on the President's salary and allowances.
>> Salary cannot be reduced during a financial emergency.
>> Current monthly salary of the President of India: ₹1,50,000/-