Consider the following statements in respect of election to the President of India:
- 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.
- Higher the number of elective Assembly seats, higher is the value of vote of each MLA of that State.
- The value of vote of each MLA of Madhya Pradesh is greater than that of Kerala.
- 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?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 1 — Only one
Out of the four statements regarding the election of the President of India, only Statement 4 is correct. Statement 1 is incorrect because nominated members are not part of the electoral college. Statement 2 is incorrect because a higher number of assembly seats actually reduces the value of each MLA's vote (as it is in the denominator). Statement 3 is incorrect because Kerala MLAs have a higher vote value (152) than Madhya Pradesh MLAs (131).
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: The electoral college for Presidential election consists only of elected members of Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies; nominated members are not eligible to vote.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: The value of an MLA's vote = (Population of State ÷ Number of elected MLAs) ÷ 1000. A higher number of elective seats in the denominator actually decreases the vote value, not increases it.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: Based on 1971 Census, the vote value of each MLA of Madhya Pradesh is 131, while that of Kerala is 152. Therefore, Kerala MLAs have higher vote value than Madhya Pradesh MLAs.
✅ Statement 4 – Correct: The vote value of each MLA of Puducherry (16) is indeed higher than that of Arunachal Pradesh (8) because Puducherry has a greater ratio of population to elected seats.
📝 Short Notes: Presidential Election - Electoral College
- Composition of Electoral College (Article 54): Elected members of Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and State Legislative Assemblies (including NCT of Delhi and Puducherry). Nominated members and members of Legislative Councils are excluded.
- Value of MLA's Vote: Formula = (Total Population of State as per 1971 Census ÷ Total number of elected MLAs) ÷ 1000
- Value of MP's Vote: Formula = (Total value of votes of all MLAs of all States ÷ Total number of elected MPs in both Houses)
- Nature of Election: Indirect election through proportional representation by means of single transferable vote
- Key Exclusions: Nominated MPs and MLAs, MLCs, and currently J&K Union Territory
| State/UT | Vote Value per MLA (Examples) |
|---|---|
| Uttar Pradesh | 208 (Highest) |
| Kerala | 152 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 131 |
| Puducherry | 16 |
| Arunachal Pradesh | 8 |
| Sikkim | 7 (Lowest) |
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