With reference to the election of the President of India, consider the following statements: 1. The value of the vote of each MLA varies from State to State. 2. The value of the vote of MPs of the Lok Sabha is more than the value of the vote of MPs of the Rajya Sabha. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Contents11
- A1 only
- B2 only
- CBoth 1 and 2
- DNeither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: (A) 1 only
Correct Answer: (a) 1 only
Statement 1 is CORRECT: The value of each MLA's vote varies from state to state.
The formula is:
Vote value of 1 MLA = (Total population of the state ÷ Total number of elected MLAs) ÷ 1000
Since states have different populations and different numbers of MLAs, the vote value changes from state to state.For example, UP MLAs have a higher vote value than Goa MLAs because UP has a much larger population.
Statement 2 is WRONG: Nominated members of either House of Parliament CANNOT vote in the Presidential election.
Only ELECTED members of Parliament and State Assemblies can vote.
The electoral college for the President consists of:
- Elected members of both Houses of Parliament
- Elected members of State Legislative Assemblies
- Elected members of Delhi and Puducherry Legislative Assemblies
REMEMBER: Presidential election — only ELECTED members vote (not nominated). MLA vote value varies by state (population-based formula). MPs have equal vote value.
The Presidential election uses a complex weighted voting system where MLA vote values depend on state population divided by number of MLAs, making some state MLAs' votes worth significantly more than others.
The question tests whether students confuse the Presidential election rules with general parliamentary voting, where the key trap is assuming all MPs have different vote values when they actually have equal values.
Presidential Election Electoral College
Indian Polity election of the President of India MPs MLAs
Presidential Election Electoral College: Composition & Voting Rights
Only elected members of Parliament and State Assemblies can vote in Presidential election
Nominated members of Rajya Sabha and State Assemblies cannot vote
Electoral college includes elected members from Delhi and Puducherry assemblies
The President is elected through indirect election by an electoral college, not direct voting by citizens. Article 54 defines who can participate in this election.
Electoral College Composition
Category | Who Can Vote | Who Cannot Vote |
|---|---|---|
Lok Sabha | All elected members (543) | No nominated members (Anglo-Indian seat abolished) |
Rajya Sabha | All elected members (233) | 12 nominated members excluded |
State Assemblies | All elected MLAs | Nominated MLAs (in some states) |
Union Territories | Delhi & Puducherry elected MLAs only | Other UTs have no assembly |
Key Constitutional Provisions
Article 54: Defines electoral college composition for Presidential election
Article 55: Prescribes method of election and vote value calculations
Total electoral college size: approximately 776 elected members (543 LS + 233 RS + state MLAs)
Trap: Nominated Rajya Sabha members cannot vote - only elected MPs participate
Trap: All MPs have equal vote value regardless of Lok Sabha vs Rajya Sabha membership
Trap: Only Delhi and Puducherry UTs participate - other UTs excluded as they lack assemblies
MLA Vote Value Calculation
Indian Polity value of the vote MLA State to State
MLA Vote Value: State-wise Variation & Formula
MLA vote value varies from state to state based on population and assembly size
Formula: (State Population ÷ Total Elected MLAs) ÷ 1000
UP MLAs have highest vote value, small state MLAs have lower values
Each MLA's vote carries different weight to maintain proportional representation based on state population. This ensures larger states have greater influence while preserving federal balance.
Vote Value Calculation Process
%%{init: {"flowchart": {"wrappingWidth": 460}}}%%
flowchart TD
s1["`**Take State Population**
Use **1971 Census** figures as per 42nd Amendment`"]
s2["`**Divide by Total Elected MLAs**
Only elected members count, not nominated`"]
s3["`**Divide Result by 1000**
Final vote value per MLA for that state`"]
s1 --> s2
s2 --> s3Sample Vote Values (Approximate)
State | Population Factor | Assembly Size | MLA Vote Value |
|---|---|---|---|
Uttar Pradesh | Highest population | 403 elected | 208 (highest) |
Maharashtra | Second highest | 288 elected | 175 |
Sikkim | Smallest population | 32 elected | 7 (lowest) |
Goa | Small population | 40 elected | 20 |
Constitutional Rationale
1971 Census used as base to prevent states from manipulating population for electoral gain
Proportional representation ensures demographic reality reflected in Presidential choice
Federal balance maintained - no single large state can dominate election alone
Trap: Statement 1 is CORRECT - MLA vote values definitely vary between states
Trap: Don't confuse with MP vote values which are uniform across Parliament
Trap: 1971 Census used for calculation, not current population figures
MP Vote Value Uniformity
Indian Polity MPs of the Lok Sabha MPs of the Rajya Sabha value of the vote
MP Vote Value: Equal Weight for All Elected Members
All elected MPs have identical vote value regardless of house membership
No difference between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MP vote values
MP vote value calculated to match total MLA vote value
Unlike MLAs whose vote values vary by state, all elected MPs have uniform vote value to maintain parity between the two houses of Parliament in Presidential election.
MP Vote Value Calculation
%%{init: {"flowchart": {"wrappingWidth": 460}}}%%
flowchart TD
s1["`**Calculate Total MLA Vote Value**
Add up vote values of all state assembly MLAs`"]
s2["`**Divide by Total Elected MPs**
543 (LS) + 233 (RS) = **776 elected MPs**`"]
s3["`**Result: Uniform MP Vote Value**
Each elected MP gets same value (approximately **700+**)`"]
s1 --> s2
s2 --> s3Vote Value Comparison
Member Type | Vote Value | Variation | Total Members |
|---|---|---|---|
Lok Sabha MPs | Uniform (~700) | No variation | 543 elected |
Rajya Sabha MPs | Uniform (~700) | No variation | 233 elected |
State MLAs | Variable | State-wise difference | ~4000 total |
Nominated MPs | Cannot vote | Excluded | 12 in RS |
Principle of Parity
Article 55(3): Ensures uniformity and parity among MPs in Presidential election
Federal balance: MP votes collectively balance the combined MLA votes
Bicameral equality: No distinction between upper and lower house in this election
Trap: Statement 2 is WRONG - Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs have equal vote value
Trap: Don't assume house seniority affects vote weight in Presidential election
Trap: Nominated members have zero vote value, not reduced value