History & Civics
What reasons were given for adopting the method of Indirect Election for Presidential Elections?
Answer
The reasons that were given for adopting the method of Indirect Election for Presidential election-
- The power really resided in the Council of Ministers, headed by the Prime Minister and the Union Parliament and not in the President as such. Therefore, it would be an anomaly if the President is to be elected directly by the people and is not given any real power.
- The framers of the Constitution wanted the Presidential election to remain a quiet and dignified affair. They knew that tremendous loss of time, energy and money would be involved in a direct Presidential election.
- It would be difficult to provide an electoral machinery for an election in which millions of people would have to participate. Such a complex system of voting is often difficult to understand.
- A direct election would place too much of power in the hands of the masses, many of whom being illiterate even now.
Related Questions
(A) The Vice-President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
(R) The Vice-President gets the salary in the capacity of the Vice-President only and not as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
- (A) is true, but (R) is false
- (A) is false, but (R) is true
- Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
- Both (A) and (R) are false
Identify the qualifications necessary for a person to be eligible for election as President of India.
P : Has completed the age of twenty-five years.
Q : Is qualified for election as a member of the Lok Sabha.
R : Is a citizen of India.
S : Is a member of a Political Party.
- Q and R
- P and R
- S and R
- P and Q
Mention the ways in which the Vice-President's office is a unique feature of the Indian Constitution.
There are a few areas where the President of India can act at his/her discretion. Thus proving that the President of India is not a rubber stamp at all. Give your views on this statement by giving examples from the past.