Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar has announced the dates for the 15th Presidential election today. Notification for this election will be issued on June 15. The last date for nominations is June 29. Voting will be held on July 18 and results will be out on July 21. The term of the current President will end on July 24. Let us know the answers to some important questions related to the Presidential election of India-
Who elects the President of India?
The President of India is elected by an electoral college consisting of all the elected members of the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha and the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the States and Union Territories. Nominated MPs cannot vote. In this way, out of 245 Rajya Sabha MPs, only 233 will cast their votes because 12 are nominated. The President is elected under Article 54 of the Constitution, conducted by the Election Commission of India.
How long is the term of office of the President?
The term of the President is 5 years. However, he can continue in office, notwithstanding the expiry of his term, until someone else takes over.
When is the election of the President of India held?
The President is elected before the end of the term of the outgoing President. The process of election is completed in the last 60 days of the term of the outgoing President. The election schedule is determined in such a way that the elected President starts his term from the very next day after the end of the term of the outgoing President. Every five years, on July 25, the newly elected President of the country takes oath. This series is going on since 1977.
Who can contest the Presidential election?
Any citizen of India can contest the presidential election. You must be at least 35 years of age to contest elections. Cannot participate in this election while holding any office of profit. Apart from this, the eligibility to be a member of the Lok Sabha is also mandatory.
What is the process of election?
To contest the election, a candidate has to file nomination with 50 proposers and 50 supporters. The 50 proposers and supporters rule was introduced in 1974. It was seen that even such candidates file nominations who have no chance of winning at all. It also has a rule that a voter cannot propose or support the nomination of more than one candidate.
Getting more votes is not a guarantee of victory
In this election, every vote is not of equal value. Because of this, it is not surprising for a candidate to lose despite getting more votes. In this election, victory or defeat is decided not by the number of votes but by the value of the votes. Article 71 of the Constitution shows that the election of the President cannot be stopped under any circumstances. Even in the event of the dissolution of the state legislatures, elections will be held on time.