Page 210 - Leap of Faith Vol - 2

Leap of Faith Journey of Indian Elections

democracy that an independent India would adopt- the approval of the Speaker, Lok Sabha and Chairman,
Presidential or Parliamentary. The Committee, B. Shiva Rajya Sabha respectively are appointed by rotation as the
Rao informs, decided unreservedly in favour of the Returning Officer to conduct the election. A similar
parliamentary type of government in which the process is followed for the Vice Presidential election. Each
President has no special power vested personally in him of the two Secretaries-General acts as Returning Officer in
but would exercise all his functions, including dissolution one of the two elections.
of the lower chamber of Parliament, only on the advice of
the council of ministers. The process of determining the winner in Presidential
and Vice Presidential elections is somewhat complex.
The Constitution, under Article 324 (1), authorises The instructions in this regard are contained in a
Election Commission of India to hold these two elections. Schedule attached to the Presidential and Vice
The process of election to the post of President Presidential Elections Rules, 1974. Unlike in the general
commences with issue of notification by the Election elections, where every voter could exercise only one
Commission, with the Government of India appointing a choice, the electors here could exercise multiple choices
Returning Officer having his office in New Delhi. The in a graded preference. This is despite the fact that the
convention is well-established that the Secretary General, seat at stake (for either office) is only one, which is to be
Lok Sabha and the Secretary General, Rajya Sabha with occupied by a single individual.

Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan's swearing-
in ceremony. He assumed the office of the
President of India on May 13, 1962.
He previously held the Vice President's
office (1952-1962)

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