UPSC Prelims 2023 Q80: Indian Polity – Presidential Election
Consider the following statements in respect of election to the President of India :
1. The members nominated to either House of the Parliament or the Legislative Assemblies of
States are also eligible to be included in the Electoral College.
2. Higher the number of elective Assembly seats, higher is the value of vote of each MLA of that
State.
3. The value of vote of each MLA of Madhya Pradesh is greater than that of Kerala.
4. The value of vote of each MLA of Puducherry is higher than that of Arunachal Pradesh because
the ratio of total population to total number of elective seats in Puducherry is greater as
compared to Arunachal Pradesh.
How many of the above statements are correct?
- (a) Only one
- (b) Only two
- (c) Only three
- (d) All four
Answer: (a) Only one
Explanation
Election of the President: the Electoral College
| Statement | Verdict | Fact |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Nominated members are also eligible to be in the Electoral College | Incorrect | Only elected members of Parliament and State Assemblies (Article 54) |
| 2. Higher the number of elective Assembly seats, higher is the value of vote of each MLA | Incorrect | More seats means the population is divided among more MLAs, so each vote is worth less |
| 3. The value of vote of each MLA of Madhya Pradesh is greater than that of Kerala | Incorrect | Madhya Pradesh 131; Kerala 152 |
| 4. The value of vote of each MLA of Puducherry is higher than that of Arunachal Pradesh because its ratio of population to elective seats is greater | Correct | Puducherry 16; Arunachal Pradesh 8 |
Formula (Article 55):
| Voter | Value of vote |
|---|---|
| MLA | State population (1971 census) divided by elected Assembly seats, then divided by 1,000 |
| MP | Total value of all MLA votes divided by the number of elected MPs |
Extremes: highest Uttar Pradesh (208); lowest Sikkim (7).
Answer: (a) Only one.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Only statement 4, on Puducherry and Arunachal Pradesh, is correct.
- (b) Incorrect. Only one statement is correct; statements 1, 2 and 3 are false.
- (c) Incorrect. Nominated members do not vote, and the seat-value link is the reverse.
- (d) Incorrect. Three of the four statements are false.
Key point
President's election: only elected MPs and MLAs vote; MLA vote value = 1971 population / (seats x 1,000); Uttar Pradesh 208, Kerala 152, Madhya Pradesh 131, Puducherry 16, Arunachal 8, Sikkim 7.
Remember
MLA vote value = 1971 population per seat / 1,000.
Common mistakes
- Thinking a bigger Assembly means a bigger vote value per MLA.
- Assuming Madhya Pradesh outranks Kerala because it is larger.
- Forgetting that the 1971 census is still used.
Exam tip
Vote value depends on population per seat, not on the size of the State.
Sources
- Constitution of India — Articles 54 and 55
- Election Commission of India — Election to the Office of President of India, 2022: value of votes