Election to the Office of President of India, 2012

In July 2012, an indirect Presidential election was conducted for the 14th time to appoint the Indian President. Nominations were accepted till 30th June while the votes were evaluated on 22nd July. At that moment there were two greatest contenders for the Presidency –Purno Sangma and Pranab Mukherjee. Purno Sangma was then the Lok Sabha speaker while Pranab Mukherjee was the Finance minister. Members of the Electoral College select the new President. These members of the Electoral College come from both Parliamentary houses. The selected candidates of the Vidhan Sabha as well as the individuals who are elected in the law-making councils of the Union Territories represent the members of the Electoral College.

Now let us understand the concept of proposers and seconders. Proposers are the MPs or MLAs who suggest the names of a candidate for the Presidential position. They are all electors. The seconders propose the names from the list declared by the proposers in the first place. They are also MLAs or MPs and represent a specific political organization. The members of the Electoral College are those candidates whose nominations were previously approved by at least 50 electors, both from the groups of proposers and seconders. The election takes place by the methodology of proportional representation. Also, the members of the Electoral College can only cast a single transferable vote. The secret ballot is used to solemnize the voting by the rules stated in Article 55 (3) of the Constitution.

Prime Candidates 

The official list of candidates was handed over on 24th July 2012. Indian media covered the chances of a few potential Ministers who were backed up by prominent Politicians. Many polls disclosed that most of the Indians were rooting to see former President Mr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam once more as the Supreme Commander of the country. He had the support of the Bharatiya Janata Party. United Progressive Alliance consisting of all the Leftist Parties declared Pranab Mukherjee as its Presidential nominee. There were stifles between the subgroups of the Janata Dal as Nitish Kumar who was the Bihar Chief Minister at that time clearly stated that he’ll look towards the Presidential poll solely. Shivanand Tiwari who was a Rajya Sabha member of the Janata Dal wanted to see Mr. Pranab Mukherjee as the President claimed his vast source of expertise in Indian polity. Shiv Sena also backed the members who would vote for Pranab Mukherjee. After Kalam’s verdict of not competing in the vote run, all the JDU members as well as Mulayam Singh Yadav who was the Samajwadi Party leader started supporting Pranab Mukherjee. This resulted in strong support for Sangma by the BJP hailed NDA. Pranab Mukherjee won the vote by securing a majority of the votes from MLAs and MPs and ascended to the President’s office on 25th July. 

Seven – Judges Bench 

This seven – judges bench gives a legal verdict by hearing the cases forwarded to them by the Indian President. This provision is by Article 143 of the Indian Constitution. Cases are referred to the bench by the Chief Justice. The Presidential Election petition in 2012 was submitted to this seven – judges’ bench. The Chief Justice administers the oath ceremony of the President. He may keep on changing the judges repeatedly to formulate a bench of five judges who will handle any petition submitted to question the Presidential election. This law is by Article 71 of the Constitution of India. There shall be a minimum of five judges to handle these matters. 

Article 55 (3) of the Constitution

Article 55 (3) is also referred to as the Central Government Act came into action in 1949. It specifies that the Indian President is to be elected by the methodology of proportional representation where single votes can be cast and recorded in undisclosed ballots. Proportional representation ensures that there is maximum possible homogeneity in the degree of participation of the various states during the Presidential election. 

Conclusion

The President of India can exercise all the legislative and executive powers either directly or by taking assistance from his Council members as per the directives mentioned in Article 53 of the Indian Constitution. Although he must abide by the provisions suggested by the Prime Minister and his cabinet members as long as they are not breaching the regulations stipulated by the Indian Constitution. In 2012, Pranab Mukherjee became the Indian President by securing the highest number of votes from the members of the Electoral College. The entire process was executed under the supervision of the Constitution bench.