CHAPTER 2
The President and the Vice-President
Q1. Name the body as well as the process involved in the election of the President.
A1. The President is elected indirectly by the members of an Electoral College consisting of:
1. the elected members of both Houses of the Parliament
2. the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the States including National Capital Territory of
Delhi and the Union Territory of Puducherry.
The election of the President is held in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means
of a single transferable vote and the voting at such election is by secret ballot.
Q2. Why is the President elected by indirect elections?
A2. The President is elected by indirect elections because of the following reasons:
1. If the President were to be elected directly by the people, he could become a rival centre of power to the
Council of Ministers. This would be against the parliamentary system with ministerial responsibility.
2. Since the membership in the two Houses of Parliament was likely to be dominated by one party, election
of the President merely by a majority of members of the Union Parliament could make him a nominee of
the ruling party like the Prime Minister. Such a President could not represent the constituent States of the
Union.
3. The President is elected by an Electoral College, which consists of the elected members of the two
Houses of Parliament and Legislative Assemblies of the States. This makes the President the elected
representative of the whole nation with a clear voice given to the States as well.
Q3. How can the President vacate his/her office? On what grounds can the President of India be removed from
office?
A3. The President can vacate his office by either of the following procedures-
1. The President may submit his resignation letter to the Vice-President, in order to resign his office. Such
resignation will be communicated by the Vice-President to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
2. The President may, for the violation of the Constitution, be removed from the office by the process of
impeachment.
The President may, for the violation of the Constitution, be removed from the office by the process of
impeachment.
Q4. Mention the occasion when the President addresses both the Houses of Parliament assembled together.
A4. The President addresses both Houses of Parliament assembled together for the first session after each General
Election to the Lok Sabha and at the commencement of the first session of each year. In this address he lays
emphasis on the internal and external policies of the Government. The President has the power to address either
House of Parliament or their joint sitting at any time.
Q5. How is the Vice-President elected?
A5. An Electoral College consisting of the members of both Houses of Parliament elects the Vice-President.
1. The election is held in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single
transferable vote.
2. The voting at such an election is by secret ballot.
3. Each nomination paper should be proposed by at least twenty electors (MPs) and another twenty electors
should second the same.
Q6. How long can the Vice-President continue to hold office even after the expiry of his/ her term? How can the
Vice-President be removed from office?
A6. The Vice-President shall continue to hold office, notwithstanding the expiry of his term, until his successor
enters upon his office.
The Vice-President can be removed from office in the following cases-
1. He may, by writing, addressed to the President, resign his office. Such resignation will be communicated
by the President to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
2. He may, for the violation of the Constitution, be removed from the office by the process of
impeachment.
Q7. State the power of Vice-President as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
A7. The Vice-President of the Indian Union acts as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
1. In this capacity he regulates debates and proceedings of the House and decides the order of speeches.
2. He decides the admissibility of a resolution or of questions.
3. He may suspend or adjourn the business of the House in case of grave disorder.
4. He issues directions to the chairmen of various committees in all matters relating to their working.
