Article 55 of the Indian Constitution lays down the procedure for the election of the President of India. It ensures uniformity among States and maintains parity between States as a whole and the Union. The provision is a cornerstone of India’s democratic framework, balancing federal representation.
📖 Constitutional excerpt (Article 55, simplified)
1️⃣ The President shall be elected by an electoral college consisting of the elected members of both Houses of Parliament and the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of States.
2️⃣ The election shall be held in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of single transferable vote.
3️⃣ The voting at such election shall be by secret ballot.
4️⃣ To ensure uniformity, the number of votes each MP and MLA casts is calculated based on population and legislative strength, maintaining parity between states.
The President is not directly elected by citizens but by an Electoral College comprising:
Nominated members of Parliament or State Legislatures do not participate, preserving democratic legitimacy through elected representatives.
The framers adopted the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system under proportional representation to reflect the diverse federal character. Voters rank candidates by preference. If a candidate reaches the quota, surplus votes transfer; otherwise, lowest-ranked candidates are eliminated and votes redistributed — ensuring the winner has broad support across regions and parties.
Article 55 mandates that every elected Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) carries a vote value proportional to the population of the state, while Members of Parliament (MPs) have a fixed vote value to balance state and national representation. The formula ensures parity between states and parity between states as a whole and the Union.
Each MLA's vote value differs based on state population (e.g., Uttar Pradesh MLA ~208 votes, Sikkim MLA ~7 votes). MPs each carry a uniform vote value (derived by dividing total value of all MLAs by total MPs). This ingenious mechanism safeguards federal balance.
Article 55 was debated extensively in the Constituent Assembly. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar emphasized that the President should be a "symbol of national unity" and indirectly elected to avoid divisive popular campaigns. The provision ensures the President remains above party politics while being accountable to the constitutional structure. The system of proportional representation with STV reduces the possibility of a purely majoritarian outcome, promoting consensus.
The Constitution (Seventieth Amendment) Act, 1992, extended the electoral college for Presidential election to include elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of Union Territories of Delhi and Puducherry, enhancing democratic inclusivity.
In modern India, Article 55 ensures that the President, as the constitutional head, is chosen through a refined indirect mechanism reflecting the will of state and national legislatures. It reinforces cooperative federalism, gives weight to both smaller and larger states, and avoids majoritarian dominance. The secret ballot protects electors from political pressure, promoting independent judgment.
📚 Reference & Further reading: The Constitution of India, Part V, Chapter I; Election Commission of India manuals; Constituent Assembly debates; and landmark commentaries by H.M. Seervai and D.D. Basu.
Article 55 stands as a testimony to India's democratic maturity — balancing unity with diversity, ensuring the highest office reflects the composite will of the nation. Whether you're a student, legal professional, or curious citizen, understanding this article deepens your insight into the world's largest democracy.