Consider the following statements: 1. In the election for Lok Sabha or State Assembly, the winning candidate must get at least 50 percent of the votes polled, to be declared elected. 2. According to the provisions laid down in the Constitution of India, in Lok Sabha, the Speaker's post goes to the majority party and the Deputy Speaker's to the Opposition. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Contents13
- A1 only
- B2 only
- CBoth 1 and 2
- DNeither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: (D) Neither 1 nor 2
Statement 1 is incorrect:
India follows the First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) system for Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections, NOT a majority system requiring 50% of votes.
Under FPTP, the candidate who gets more votes than any other candidate wins — even if that number is far less than 50%.
For example, in a constituency with 5 candidates, someone could win with just 25-30% of votes as long as they got more than everyone else.
The 50% requirement exists in some other countries (like France's two-round system), but NOT in India.
Statement 2 is incorrect:
The Constitution does NOT specify that the Speaker's post must go to the majority party and the Deputy Speaker's post to the Opposition.
Article 93 (for Lok Sabha) simply says that the House shall choose two of its members to be Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
There is no constitutional provision mandating party-based allocation.
In practice, while the Speaker usually comes from the ruling party and the Deputy Speaker is sometimes offered to the Opposition by convention, this is a political practice, not a constitutional requirement.
Since both statements are wrong, the answer is (d).
(Source: Laxmikant, Chapter on Parliament)
India uses First-Past-The-Post system where winning candidates need only more votes than any other candidate, not 50% of total votes polled.
The Constitution only requires the Lok Sabha to choose a Speaker and Deputy Speaker from among its members, with no party-based allocation mandated.
First-Past-The-Post Electoral System
Indian Polity First-Past-The-Post FPTP winning candidate 50 percent of the votes
First-Past-The-Post System: How India's Electoral Math Works
India uses First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) system for Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections
Candidate with most votes wins — no 50% requirement needed
Winner can have less than 50% if votes are split among multiple candidates
FPTP is also called plurality system (not majority system)
Core Mechanism
Under FPTP, the candidate who receives the highest number of votes in a constituency wins — regardless of whether they cross 50% or not. This is a plurality system, not a majority system.
FPTP vs Majority Systems
System | Winning Requirement | Used In | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
FPTP (Plurality) | Most votes (can be <50%) | India, UK, USA | Winner gets 35% in 5-candidate race |
Absolute Majority | More than 50% required | France (2nd round) | Winner must get 50%+ or runoff held |
Two-Round System | 50%+ in Round 1, else runoff | France Presidential | Top 2 go to second round if no majority |
Why India Chose FPTP
Simplicity: Easy to understand and count — highest votes wins
Quick results: No need for multiple rounds or complex calculations
Stability: Usually produces clear winners, avoids hung assemblies
Cost-effective: Single election round, lower administrative burden
Trap: UPSC tests the misconception that India requires 50% votes to win
Reality: A candidate can win with just 25-30% votes if others split the remaining votes
Don't confuse: FPTP (India) with Two-Round System (France Presidential)
Statement reversal: 'Winner needs majority of votes' vs 'Winner needs most votes'
Speaker & Deputy Speaker Selection
Indian Polity Speaker's post majority party Deputy Speaker Opposition
Speaker & Deputy Speaker: Constitutional Law vs Political Practice
Article 93 says Lok Sabha chooses Speaker & Deputy Speaker from its members
No constitutional mandate for majority-opposition allocation
Current practice: Speaker usually from ruling party, Deputy Speaker sometimes from Opposition
This allocation is political convention, not constitutional requirement
Constitutional Position
Article 93 simply states that the House shall choose two of its members to be Speaker and Deputy Speaker. The Constitution is silent on which party they should come from.
Constitutional vs Conventional Practices
Aspect | Constitutional Provision | Political Practice | Binding? |
|---|---|---|---|
Speaker Selection | House chooses from its members | Usually from ruling party/coalition | Practice only |
Deputy Speaker | House chooses from its members | Sometimes offered to Opposition | Practice only |
Voting Method | Not specified (voice vote typical) | Usually consensus, rarely division | Practice only |
Party Allocation | No mention of party-based distribution | Majority-Opposition sharing attempted | Not binding |
Recent Examples & Exceptions
17th Lok Sabha: Om Birla (BJP) as Speaker, Deputy Speaker post vacant for long periods
Some assemblies: Opposition refuses Deputy Speaker post due to political reasons
Rajya Sabha: Chairman is Vice President (ex-officio), Deputy Chairman chosen by House
State Assemblies: Follow similar pattern but no constitutional mandate
Major trap: Constitution mandates majority-opposition allocation — FALSE
Article 93 only says House chooses — no party-wise allocation mentioned
Don't assume: Political practice = Constitutional requirement
Distinguish: What Constitution says vs what conventionally happens
Electoral Systems Worldwide
Indian Polity
Electoral Systems: FPTP vs Alternatives Worldwide
FPTP: Winner-takes-all system (India, UK, USA)
Proportional Representation: Seats match vote percentage (Germany, Israel)
Mixed systems: Combine FPTP + PR (Germany, New Zealand)
Major Electoral Systems
System | How It Works | Countries Using | Advantage | Disadvantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
FPTP | Most votes wins constituency | India, UK, Canada | Clear majorities, stable govt | Vote splitting, minority winners |
Proportional Rep | Seats = vote percentage | Israel, Netherlands | Fair representation | Coalition govts, instability |
Two-Round | 50%+ or runoff | France (President) | Majority winner | Expensive, time-consuming |
Mixed (MMP) | FPTP + PR combined | Germany, New Zealand | Balance stability & fairness | Complex, two types of MPs |
Why Countries Choose Different Systems
Historical factors: Colonial legacy (FPTP in ex-British colonies)
Political stability needs: FPTP favors stable single-party governments
Representation concerns: PR ensures minority parties get fair share
Geographic factors: Large constituencies favor FPTP, small countries use PR
Key Constitutional Articles on Parliament
Indian Polity Article 93 Constitution of India
Constitutional Articles: Parliamentary Structure & Officers
Article 93: Speaker & Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha
Article 89: Chairman & Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha
Article 94: Vacation & resignation of Speaker/Deputy Speaker
Parliamentary Officers in Constitution
Article | House | Officer | Key Provision |
|---|---|---|---|
Article 89 | Rajya Sabha | Chairman | Vice President is ex-officio Chairman |
Article 89 | Rajya Sabha | Deputy Chairman | Elected by members of Rajya Sabha |
Article 93 | Lok Sabha | Speaker | Elected by members of Lok Sabha |
Article 93 | Lok Sabha | Deputy Speaker | Elected by members of Lok Sabha |
Article 94 | Both Houses | Vacation of office | Resignation, removal by resolution |
Article 95 | Lok Sabha | Powers & duties | Speaker acts as presiding officer |
Article 93 trap: Does NOT specify party-wise allocation of posts
Rajya Sabha: Chairman is Vice President (not elected by House)
Don't confuse: Article 89 (Rajya Sabha) vs Article 93 (Lok Sabha)