With reference to the election of the President of India, consider the following statements : 1. The value of the vote of each MLA varies from State to State. 2. The value of the vote of MPs of the Lok Sabha is more than the value of the vote of MPs of the Rajya Sabha. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
- (a) 1 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Why the answer is (a)
• Under Article 55, the value of an MLA's vote = State population (1971 census) ÷ (number of elected MLAs × 1000), so it varies from State to State — from 7 in Sikkim to 208 in Uttar Pradesh (statement 1).
• The value of an MP's vote = total value of all MLAs' votes ÷ total elected MPs (776), and is the same (708 in 2017/2022) for Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members — so statement 2 is wrong.
• Hence 1 only, option (a).
Why the other options are wrong
- (b) 2 only
- Statement 2 is wrong: LS and RS MPs' votes have equal value.
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- Statement 2 is wrong.
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
- Statement 1 is correct: MLA vote value varies by State.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2018, held on 3 June 2018. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.