The Rajya Sabha Election Process
Indirect elections are used to choose the Rajya Sabha’s representatives from the States and Union Territories. According to the system of proportional representation using the single transferable vote, the elected members of each State’s Legislative Assembly and each Union Territory’s Electoral College, respectively, choose the representatives for each of the two states and the two Union territories.
An Example of Rajya Sabha Election Procedure
According to Schedule 4 of the constitution, each state’s allotted number of Rajya Sabha seats is determined. Every two years, elections are held for a third of these seats. Consider a state where elections are being held for three Rajya Sabha seats. Let the legislative assembly consist of just two parties. There are 40 seats in party B and 100 seats in party A. For the three Rajya Sabha seats, each party may field three candidates.
It takes a certain number of votes for a candidate to win a Rajya Sabha seat. The formula below is used to find that number or the quotient.
Total votes cast divided by (number of Rajya Sabha seats + 1) + 1 equals the quotient.
To win in the above scenario, a candidate needs (140/4)+1, or 36 votes.
Rajya Sabha – Members, Seats & Election Process
Members of the Rajya Sabha who are selected to represent the states and union territories in the legislature are chosen through the Rajya Sabha Election procedure. These individuals are chosen to be Rajya Sabha representatives. The elected members of that state’s Legislative Assembly and the members of that Union Territory’s electoral college will depend on the circumstances. Using a proportional representation system that grants each voter one voice, each cast their vote for the representatives of their respective states and union territories.
Table of Content
- Rajya Sabha Members
- Voting for Rajya Sabha Members
- The Rajya Sabha Election Process
- Rajya Sabha Seats