Direct Elections (First-Past-the-Post)
In direct elections, citizens vote directly for their representatives. The candidate with the highest number of votes wins (even if less than 50%).
1. Lok Sabha (General Elections)
- Level: National.
- Constituencies: India is divided into 543 parliamentary constituencies.
- Representatives: Elected members are called Members of Parliament (MPs).
- Outcome: The party/coalition with the majority forms the Central Government. The leader becomes the Prime Minister.
2. State Legislative Assemblies (Vidhan Sabha)
- Level: State.
- Constituencies: States are divided into smaller assembly constituencies.
- Representatives: Elected members are called Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs).
- Outcome: The majority party forms the State Government. The leader becomes the Chief Minister.
Indirect Elections (Proportional Representation)
In indirect elections, citizens do not vote directly. Instead, their elected representatives vote on their behalf.
1. Rajya Sabha (Council of States)
- Elected By: Elected MLAs of State Assemblies.
- System: Single Transferable Vote (STV).
- Nature: It is a Permanent House (never dissolved). Members serve a 6-year term, with 1/3rd retiring every two years.
- Composition: 233 elected + 12 nominated by the President.
2. President & Vice President
- President: Elected by an Electoral College consisting of elected MPs (Lok Sabha + Rajya Sabha) and elected MLAs of all States/UTs.
- Vice President: Elected by members of both houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha + Rajya Sabha).
Warning
Note: Nominated members (by the President) do not vote in the Presidential election to ensure democratic legitimacy.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Lok Sabha (Direct) | Rajya Sabha (Indirect) |
|---|---|---|
| Voters | Citizens (18+) | MLAs |
| Term | 5 Years (Dissolvable) | 6 Years (Permanent) |
| System | First-Past-The-Post | Single Transferable Vote |
| Focus | National Issues | State Interests |