UPSC Prelims 2023 – Question 80

Q80. Consider the following statements in respect of election to the President of India: 

1. The members nominated to either the House of Parliament or the Legislative Assemblies of States are also eligible to be included in the Electoral College. 
2. The higher the number of elective Assembly seats, the higher is the value of the vote of each MLA of that State. 
3. The value of the vote of each MLA of Madhya Pradesh is greater than that of Kerala. 
4. The value of the 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? 

1. Only one 

2. Only two 

3. Only three 

4. All four 

Correct Answer: Option (a) 

• As per Article 54 of the Constitution, the President of India is elected by the Members of an Electoral College consisting of 
• The elected members of both Houses of Parliament, and  
• The elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of all States [including the National Capital Territory of Delhi and the Union Territory of Puducherry].  
• The Members nominated to either House of Parliament or the Legislative Assemblies of States, including NCT of Delhi and Union Territory of Puducherry, are not eligible to be included in the Electoral College. Hence, statement 1 is not correct. 
• The value of the vote of an MP in a presidential election is based on the number of elected members in legislative assemblies of states and union territories, including Delhi, Puducherry and Jammu and Kashmir. If the number of elected Assembly seats increases, the value of the vote of each MLA of that state will decrease. Hence, statement 2 is not correct. 
• The value of the vote of each MLA of Madhya Pradesh is 131 which is less than that of Kerala where it is 152. Hence, statement 3 is not correct. 
• The value of the vote of each MLA of Puducherry (16) is higher than that of Arunachal Pradesh (8) because the ratio of total population to total number of elective seats in Puducherry is greater as compared to Arunachal Pradesh. Hence, statement 4 is correct. 

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