ARTICLE 55 – ELECTION OF THE PRESIDENT

PRERNA FOR IAS

ARTICLE 55 – ELECTION OF THE PRESIDENT (INDIAN CONSTITUTION)

1. Uniformity in Representation

Article 55 of the Indian Constitution ensures uniformity in the scale of representation of different States in the election of the President. The objective is to maintain fairness so that every State is represented according to its population while preserving parity between the Union and the States. Since States differ in population and the number of elected legislators, Article 55 prescribes a special method to calculate the value of votes. This system prevents any State from having disproportionate influence and ensures that the President is elected through a balanced and representative Electoral College reflecting India's federal structure.

2. Manner of Determining the Number of Votes

Article 55 lays down the method for determining the value of votes cast by elected Members of Legislative Assemblies (MLAs) and Members of Parliament (MPs). The objective is to maintain equality among States and ensure parity between the Union and the States. The vote value of each MLA depends on the population of the State and the number of elected MLAs. The vote value of each MP is then calculated based on the total value of votes assigned to all MLAs. This carefully designed formula guarantees balanced representation in the Presidential election across the country.

3. Vote Value of an MLA (Clause a)

Under Article 55(2)(a), the value of the vote of each elected Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) is determined by dividing the population of the State by the total number of elected MLAs in that State. The quotient is then divided by 1,000, and only complete multiples of one thousand are considered while calculating the vote value. This method ensures that States with larger populations have proportionately greater representation, while maintaining equality among individual MLAs within the same State. It forms an essential part of the Electoral College system for electing the President.

4. Additional Vote for Remainder (Clause b)

Article 55(2)(b) provides an additional rule while calculating the value of an MLA's vote. After removing complete multiples of 1,000 from the population quotient, if the remaining fraction is 500 or more, one additional vote is added to the value assigned to each MLA. If the remainder is less than 500, it is ignored. This rounding-off rule helps achieve greater accuracy and fairness in calculating vote values. It minimizes disparities arising from population figures and ensures a more balanced representation of States during the Presidential election process under the Constitution.

5. Vote Value of an MP (Clause c)

Article 55(2)(c) prescribes the method for calculating the vote value of each Member of Parliament (MP). First, the total value of votes assigned to all elected MLAs across India is calculated. This total is then divided by the total number of elected members of both Houses of Parliament. If the resulting fraction exceeds one-half, it is counted as one; otherwise, it is ignored. This formula ensures parity between the Union and the States in the Presidential election. Every elected MP, whether from the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha, receives the same vote value.

6. Formula for Votes per MLA

The formula used to calculate the value of an MLA's vote is:

Vote Value of an MLA = Population of the State ÷ (Total Number of Elected MLAs × 1,000)

Only complete multiples of one thousand are considered. If the remaining population after division is 500 or more, one additional vote is added. This formula ensures that States with larger populations receive proportionately greater representation while maintaining equality among MLAs within the same State. It balances representation across States and forms an important constitutional mechanism in the indirect election of the President of India.

7. Formula for Votes per MP

The value of each elected Member of Parliament's vote is calculated using the following formula:

Vote Value of an MP = Total Value of Votes of All Elected MLAs ÷ Total Number of Elected Members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha

If the resulting fraction exceeds one-half, it is counted as one; otherwise, it is ignored. This calculation ensures that the collective voting strength of Parliament is equal to the total voting strength of all State Legislative Assemblies. It maintains constitutional parity between the Union and the States during the election of the President under Article 55.

8. Manner of Election

Article 55 provides that the President of India is elected through the system of proportional representation by means of the Single Transferable Vote (STV). Voting is conducted by secret ballot, allowing electors to vote freely without external influence. Members of the Electoral College rank candidates according to their preference rather than selecting only one candidate. If no candidate secures the required quota in the first round, votes are transferred based on subsequent preferences until one candidate obtains the necessary majority. This system ensures broad support, fairness, and democratic legitimacy in the election of the President.