2022 Indian presidential election explained

Election Name:2022 Indian presidential election
Turnout:99.12% (1.83%)
Country:India
Type:Presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2017 Indian presidential election
Previous Year:2017
Next Election:Next Indian presidential election
Next Year:Next
Nominee1:Droupadi Murmu
Alliance1:National Democratic Alliance
Party1:Bharatiya Janata Party
Home State1:Odisha
States Carried1:21 + PY
Electoral Vote1:676,803
Percentage1:64.03%
Nominee2:Yashwant Sinha
Party2:AITC
Alliance2:UO
Home State2:Jharkhand
States Carried2:7 + NCT
Electoral Vote2:380,177
Percentage2:35.97%
President
Before Election:Ram Nath Kovind
Before Party:BJP
After Election:Droupadi Murmu
After Party:BJP
1Blank:Swing
1Data1:1.62%
1Data2:1.62%
Posttitle:President after election
Image2 Size:180x180px
Image1 Size:180x180px

The 2022 Indian presidential election was the 16th presidential election in India held on 18 July 2022 to elect the president of India. The incumbent president Ram Nath Kovind did not run for reelection. The election had a turnout of 99.12%.

Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Droupadi Murmu won the election by a margin of 296,626 votes against Yashwant Sinha, the United Opposition candidate.[1] [2] [3] [4] Murmu became the first member of a Scheduled Tribe and second woman to become president, as well as the first president born after independence.[5] [6] [7] [8]

Electoral system

The president of India is indirectly elected by an electoral college consisting of the elected members of both houses of the parliament, the elected members of the legislative assemblies of the 28 states, and the elected members of the legislative assemblies of the union territories of Delhi, Puducherry, and Jammu and Kashmir. As of 2022, the electoral college comprises 776 members of Parliament (MPs) and 4,033 members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs), not counting the 90 MLAs of the dissolved Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.

The Election Commission of India assigns varying numbers of votes to electoral college members, such that the total weight of MPs and MLAs is roughly equal and that the voting power of a state or territory is proportional to its population. Overall, the members of the electoral college are eligible to cast 1,086,431 votes, yielding a threshold for a majority of 543,216 votes.

For a candidate to be in the president's office, they must be subscribed by at least 50 electors as proposers and 50 electors as seconders. The election is held by means of a secret ballot under the instant-runoff voting system.[9] The manner of election of the president is provided by Article 55 of the Constitution.

Article 58 of the Indian Constitution provides that the president and vice president of India must be citizens of India and at least 35 years old.[10] Candidates for the presidency typically seek the nomination of one of the political parties, in which case each party devises a method (such as a primary election) to choose the candidate the party deems best suited to run for the position. Traditionally, the primary elections are indirect elections where voters cast ballots for a slate of party delegates pledged to a particular candidate. The party's delegates then officially nominate a candidate to run on the party's behalf. The general election in July is an indirect election, where voters cast ballots for a slate of members of the Electoral College; these electors in turn directly elect the president and vice president.

By convention, the secretary general of the Lok Sabha and the secretary general of the Rajya Sabha are appointed as the returning officers by rotation. For the 2017 presidential election, the secretary general of the Lok Sabha was appointed as a returning officer. Therefore, for the 2022 presidential election, the secretary general of the Rajya Sabha, Shri P.C. Mody, was appointed as the returning officer in notification by ECI on 13 June 2022.[11]

Election schedule

Under sub-section 1 of Section 4 of the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act of 1952, the election schedule for the president of India was announced by the Election Commission of India on 9 June 2022.[12] [13]

S.No. EventDateDay
1.Issue of election commission's notification calling the election15 June 2022Wednesday
2.Last date for making nominations29 June 2022
3.Date for the scrutiny of nominations30 June 2022Thursday
4.Last date for the withdrawal of candidatures2 July 2022Saturday
5.Date on which a poll shall, if necessary, be taken18 July 2022Monday
6.Date on which counting, if required, shall be taken21 July 2022Thursday

Electoral college

Electoral college member strength

HouseTotal
NDAUPAOthers
Lok Sabha543
Rajya Sabha228
State Legislative Assemblies4,025
Total4,796

Electoral college vote value composition

HouseTotal
NDAUPAOthers
Lok Sabha votes380,100
Rajya Sabha votes159,600
State Assemblies votes542,291
Total votes1,081,991

Party-wise vote (projection)

AlliancePartiesMembers of Lok SabhaMembers of Rajya SabhaMembers of State Legislative AssembliesTotal
BJP CandidateNDA1BJP212,10063,700185,036458,03642.33%
2JD(U)11,2003,5007,90122,6012.09%
3AIADMK7002,80011,44014,9401.38%
4AD(S)1,40002,4963,8960.36%
5RLJP3,500003,5000.32%
6AGP07001,0441,7440.16%
7MNF7007002441,6440.15%
8PMK07008801,5800.15%
9NPF7007001261,5260.14%
10UPPL07008121,5120.14%
11NPP70005491,2490.12%
12NISHAD001,2481,2480.12%
13JJP001,1201,1200.10%
14NDPP70003781,0780.10%
15AJSU70003521,0520.10%
16SKM70001338330.47%
17RPI(A)07000700
18TMC(M)07000700
19HAM00692692
20PJP00350350
21BPF00348348
22IPFT00182182
23PBK00176176
24JSS00175175
25RSP00175175
26AINRC00160160
27JSP00159159
28UDP00136136
29HLP00112112
30PDF006868
31MGP004040
32KPA003636
33HSPDP003434
34Independents2,1007004,3407,1400.66%
Total of NDA528,94248.89%
Non-NDA35YSRCP[14] 15,4006,30024,00945,7094.22%
36BJD[15] 8,4006,30016,98631,6862.93%
37BSP[16] 7,0007007108,4100.78%
38SS (Shinde)007,0007,0000.65%
39JMM[17] 7007005,2806,6800.62%
40JD(S)[18] 7007004,4965,8960.54%
41SAD[19] 1,40003481,7480.16%
42BVA005255250.05
43SDF070077070.07
44LJP(RV)700007000.06
45JCC[20] 0038711530.11%
46MNS00175
47PWPI00175
48JD(L)[21] 00416
49SS (Uddhav)13,3002,1002,80018,2001.68%
50SBSP[22] 001,2481,2480.12%
51TDP2,1007003,6576,4570.60%
52RLP70003871,0870.10%
Non-NDA Backing BJP Candidate137,20612.69%
Total Votes for BJP Candidate666,14861.58%
Opposition candidate (AITC)AITC1AITC16,1009,10033,43258,6325.42%
UPA2INC37,10021,70088,578147,37813.62%
3DMK16,8007,00022,09645,8964.24%
4NCP3,5002,8009,91916,2191.50%
5IUML2,1001,4002,2805,7800.53%
6JKNC2,100002,1000.19%
7VCK70007041,4040.13%
8MDMK07007041,4040.13%
9RSP700007000.20%
10MMK00352352
11KC00304304
12KMDK00176176
13TVK00176176
14KC(J)00152152
15NCK00152152
16RMPI00152152
17GFP002020
18Independents07002,2642,9640.27%
Total of UPA + AITC283,96126.23%
SP+19SP2,1002,10023,43827,6382.55%
20RLD07001,7932,4930.23%
21Independents070007000.06%
Left22CPI(M)2,1003,50011,08616,6861.54%
23CPI1,4001,4003,4576,2570.58%
24CPI(ML)L002,2522,2520.21%
25KC(M)7007007602,1600.20%
26C(S)0015215200.14%
27INL00152
28JKC00152
29KC(B)00152
30NSC00152
31Independents00760
Others32TRS6,3004,90013,59624,7962.29%
33AAP07,00014,30821,3081.97%
34RJD04,20013,47617,6761.63%
35AIMIM1,40002,1393,5390.33%
36AIUDF70001,7402,4400.23%
37GJM001511510.01%
38ISF001511510.01%
Non-UPA Backing Opposition candidate129,76711.98%
Total Votes for Opposition candidate413,72838.29%
OthersUndecided1BTP005525520.05%
2SAD(A)700007000.11%
3SWP00175175
4RD00116116
5INLD00112112
6ZPM004848
7RGP002020
8KHNAM001717
9Independents003633630.03%
Total of Undecided2,1030.19%
Total380,100159,600
542,291
1,081,991100%

Candidates

On 21 June 2022, Yashwant Sinha, a former AITC leader, was unanimously chosen as the common candidate of UPA and other opposition parties for the 2022 presidential election. On the same day, NDA chose Droupadi Murmu as its presidential candidate.

National Democratic Alliance

See main article: Bharatiya Janata Party and National Democratic Alliance.

United Opposition (India)

See main article: All India Trinamool Congress and United Opposition (2022).

Potential candidates

Campaign

During her election campaign, Murmu visited various states seeking support. Several opposition parties, including BJD, JMM, BSP, SS, YSRCP, SAD, and JDS, announced support for her candidature prior to polling.[27] [28] [29] [30] [31]

Controversy

Congress filed a complaint with the Election Commission against Droupadi Murmu and BJP leaders, alleging poll code violation in Karnataka. The Indian National Congress alleged that the ruling BJP had influenced the MLAs by offering bribes and other inducements in violation of the election code. The MLAs were called for training on voting in the presidential election and allegedly provided luxurious rooms, meals, liquor, drinks and entertainment.[32] [33]

Results

Results of the 2022 Indian presidential election[34] [35]
Candidate Coalition Individual
votes
Electoral
College votes
%
bgcolor=Droupadi MurmuNational Democratic Alliance2,824676,80364.03
bgcolor=Yashwant SinhaUnited Opposition1,877380,17735.97
Valid votes 4,7011,056,98098.89
Blank and invalid votes53 15,3971.11
Total4,7541,072,377100
Registered voters / Turnout4,8091,086,43198.86

Breakdown

State/UTElectorsDroupadi MurmuYashwant SinhaInvalidAbstain
Members of Parliament771540208158
Andhra Pradesh175173002
Arunachal Pradesh6055401
Assam1261042002
24313310621
Chhattisgarh90216900
Goa40281200
Gujarat1781215700
Haryana90593001
Himachal Pradesh68452210
Jharkhand8170911
Karnataka2241507040
Kerala140113900
Madhya Pradesh2301467950
Maharashtra2871819843
Manipur6054600
Meghalaya6047814
Mizoram40291100
Nagaland6059001
Odisha147137901
Punjab117810153
Rajasthan2007512302
Sikkim3232000
Tamil Nadu2347515810
Telangana119311312
Tripura59411701
Uttar Pradesh40328711132
Uttarakhand70511513
West Bengal2937121642
Delhi7085642
Puducherry3020910
Total4,7962,8241,8775342
Source: [36] [37] [38]

Reactions

Right after Murmu was announced as the winner, numerous congratulations and wishes from other world leaders were posted on social media. Russian President Vladimir Putin extended his greetings to Droupadi Murmu for being elected as the president of India and hoped for further development of the Russian–Indian political dialogue and productive cooperation in different areas under her leadership.[39] President of the United States Joe Biden congratulated her and stated her victory was the "strength of Indian democracy".[40] [41] Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulated her and said that he would be willing to work with her to enhance political mutual trust between China and India.[42] [43] The presidents of Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh, and other countries also congratulated her.[44]

After the election results came out, tribal communities in several states celebrated her victory.[45] [46] Many minority tribal communities in Bangladesh, including the Santal community, congratulated Murmu.[47]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2022 Indian Presidential Elections: Press note . Election Commission of India.
  2. 1550156953850040321. ani. While President-elect #DroupadiMurmu got a vote in all states, Opposition's Presidential candidate Yashwant Sinha drew a blank in Andhra Pradesh, Nagaland, & Sikkim.. ANI. 2022-07-23. en. Twitter.
  3. Web site: 18 July 2022 . Polling for Presidential Elections 2022 held peacefully today . Election Commission of India.
  4. Web site: Mehrotra . Vani . 2022-07-21 . President Election 2022 Result LIVE Updates: Droupadi Murmu wins, Yashwant loses, celebrations begins . 2022-07-22 . Indiatvnews.com . en.
  5. Web site: 28 July 2022 . Presidential Election 2022-Declaration of Result . Election Commission of India.
  6. Web site: 2022-07-21 . Draupadi Murmu is India's first tribal and youngest President ever - Oneindia News . 2022-07-23 . Oneindia.com . en.
  7. News: Cariappa . Anuj . 2022-07-18 . Presidential Election Results 2022 updates: Murmu declared winner, secures 64% of votes against Sinha's 36% . 2022-07-22 . Oneindia . en.
  8. Web site: July 22, 2022. Swati . Mathur . President of India 2022: Draupadi Murmu elected first tribal President of India, second woman to assume nation's top office . 2022-07-23 . The Times of India . en.
  9. The Constitution of 1950 use the term Single transferable vote, which is now used for a system with multiple-member constituencies. When there is only one of the latter, the system is now called Instant-runoff voting
  10. Web site: The Constitution of India . 11 May 2022 . 26 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526095738/https://legislative.gov.in/sites/default/files/COI-updated.pdf . live .
  11. https://eci.gov.in/files/file/14215-list-of-returning-officer-and-assistant-returning-officers-for-presidential-election-2022/
  12. Web site: 6 June 2022 . Election to the Office of President of India, 2022 (16th Presidential Election) . Election Commission of India.
  13. Web site: 2022-06-09 . Presidential elections on July 18, counting, if needed, on July 21: Election Commission . 2022-06-09 . The Indian Express . en . 9 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220609124301/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/election-commission-presidential-elections-schedule-7960672/ . live .
  14. News: Presidential Polls 2022: Jagan Mohan Reddy's YSRCP backs NDA candidate Draupadi Murmu . The Economic Times . 2022-07-09 . 9 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220709171124/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/presidential-polls-2022-jagan-mohan-reddys-ysrcp-backs-nda-candidate-draupadi-murmu/articleshow/92423519.cms . live .
  15. Web site: Sharma . Vikash . Presidential election: Extend support to daughter of Odisha, CM Naveen appeals to MLAs . 2022-07-09 . odishatv.in . en . June 22, 2022 . 9 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220709171121/https://odishatv.in/news/miscellaneous/presidential-election-extend-support-to-daughter-of-odisha-cm-naveen-appeals-to-mlas-179379 . live .
  16. News: BSP Chief Mayawati supports Murmu, says wasn't called to opposition meets . The Economic Times . 2022-07-09 . June 26, 2022 . 28 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220628083400/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/bsp-chief-mayawati-supports-murmu-says-wasnt-called-to-opposition-meets/articleshow/92462333.cms . live .
  17. Web site: Presidential Elections 2022: Hemant Soren-led JMM likely to support NDA candidate Draupadi Murmu, say sources . 2022-07-09 . TimesNow . en . June 22, 2022 . 22 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220622070037/https://www.timesnownews.com/india/presidential-elections-2022-hemant-soren-led-jmm-likely-to-support-nda-candidate-draupadi-murmu-say-sources-article-92381250 . live .
  18. News: Draupadi Murmu is "suitable and competent" candidate for President: Deve Gowda . The Economic Times . 2022-07-09 . 9 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220709171358/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/draupadi-murmu-is-suitable-and-competent-candidate-for-president-deve-gowda/articleshow/92394465.cms?from=mdr . live .
  19. News: Presidential Election 2022: BJP's former ally SAD to back Draupadi Murmu . The Economic Times . 2022-07-09 . 9 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220709171126/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/presidential-election-2022-bjps-former-ally-sad-to-back-draupadi-murmu/articleshow/92600615.cms . live .
  20. Web site: TNN . Jun 24, 2022 . Jcc Backs Murmu For Prez, Says It's A Moment Of Pride For Tribals Raipur News - Times of India . 2022-07-09 . The Times of India . en . 9 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220709171120/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/raipur/jcc-backs-murmu-for-prez-says-its-a-moment-of-pride-for-tribals/articleshow/92422245.cms . live .
  21. Web site: Presidential Elections 2022: Raja Bhaiya's party extends its support to Droupadi y . 2022-07-09 . The Economic Times . en . 9 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220709171125/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/presidential-elections-2022-raja-bhaiyas-party-extends-its-support-to-droupadi-murmu/videoshow/92771182.cms . live .
  22. News: Will take call on supporting Draupadi Murmu in four days, says SP ally Om Prakash Rajbhar . The Economic Times . 2022-07-09 . 9 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220709171357/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/will-take-call-on-supporting-draupadi-murmu-in-four-days-says-sp-ally-om-prakash-rajbhar/articleshow/92773500.cms?from=mdr . live .
  23. Web site: Singhal . Ashok . 21 June 2022 . Draupadi Murmu, tribal leader and former governor, is NDA's choice for president . 2022-06-21 . India Today . en . 21 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220621164259/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/draupadi-murmu-nda-presidential-candidate-1965179-2022-06-21 . live .
  24. Web site: 2022-06-21 . Opposition fields Yashwant Sinha as Presidential candidate . 2022-06-22 . mint . en . 22 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220622222125/https://www.livemint.com/news/india/opposition-fields-yashwant-sinha-as-president-candidate-11655807632818.html . live .
  25. News: 2022-06-20 . Presidential election: Gopalkrishna Gandhi declines offer to be opposition candidate . The Times of India . 2023-06-18 . 0971-8257.
  26. Web site: Tare . Kiran . June 16, 2022 . Why Sharad Pawar turned down offer to be Opposition’s presidential candidate . 2023-06-18 . India Today . en.
  27. Web site: 2022-07-10 . Droupadi Murmu to visit Karnataka today, seek support for presidential polls . 2022-07-19 . Hindustan Times . en.
  28. Web site: 2022-07-09 . Murmu to visit Kolkata today to seek support . 2022-07-19 . The Indian Express . en.
  29. Web site: Bandari . Pavan Kumar . YS Jagan declares YSRCP support to Draupadi Murmu, says social justice be prevailed . 2022-07-23 . The Hans India . en.
  30. Web site: 2022-07-11 . Droupadi Murmu gets warm welcome in Bengaluru by CM, meets Deve Gowda . 2022-07-23 . Hindustan Times . en.
  31. Web site: July 2, 2022 . Sad Backs Murmu In Prez Polls. 2022-07-23 . The Times of India . en.
  32. News: Presidential election: Congress files complaint with EC against Droupadi Murmu, BJP leaders, alleging poll code violation - The Real Kashmir News . 22 July 2022 . 20 July 2022.
  33. News: Presidential Polls 2022: Why Congress Has Moved EC Against Droupadi Murmu For Poll Code Violation . 25 July 2022 . outlookindia.com . 20 July 2022 . en.
  34. Web site: While President-elect #DroupadiMurmu got a vote in all states, Opposition's Presidential candidate Yashwant Sinha drew a blank in Andhra Pradesh, Nagaland, & Sikkim.. Twitter.com. 26 July 2022.
  35. Web site: 2022-07-21 . Number Theory: Comparing Droupadi Murmu's win with her predecessors . 2022-07-25 . Hindustan Times . en.
  36. 21 July 2022 . Presidential election: State wise results - ANI . 1550156953850040321 . Twitter. ANI. ANI.
  37. Web site: Presidential election: Droupadi Murmu vs Yashwant Sinha state wise results . 21 July 2022 . News18.com.
  38. News: 2022-07-21 . hi:64 फीसदी वोट के साथ द्रौपदी मुर्मू की शानदार जीत, यशवंत सिन्हा को तीन राज्यों में नहीं मिला वोट . https://www.abplive.com/news/india/presidential-election-result-draupadi-murmu-won-with-64-percent-votes-yashwant-sinha-did-not-get-any-vote-in-three-states-2173418 . 2022-07-22 . A. B. P. Live . hi.
  39. Web site: Congratulations to Draupadi Murmu, President-elect of the Republic of India . 2022-07-23 . President of Russia . en.
  40. Web site: 2022-07-22 . President Murmu: Joe Biden said - Draupadi Murmu is proof of the strength of Indian democracy, congratulations from all over the world . Nsbb.in . 2022-07-23 . English.
  41. Web site: President Murmu : जो बाइडन बोले- द्रौपदी मुर्मू भारतीय लोकतंत्र की मजबूती का सुबूत, दुनियाभर से मिली बधाइयां . 2022-07-23 . Amar Ujala . hi.
  42. News: Krishnan . Ananth . 2022-07-25 . Chinese President congratulates Murmu . en-IN . . 2022-07-25 . 0971-751X.
  43. Web site: 25 July 2022 . Xi extends congratulations to new Indian president . 2022-07-26 . Xinhua News Agency.
  44. News: Xi Jinping, global leaders congratulate President Droupadi Murmu . The Economic Times . 2022-07-25.
  45. Web site: 2022-07-22 . Tribals of Seemanchal celebrate Droupadi Murmu's election win . 2022-07-25 . Hindustan Times . en.
  46. Web site: 2022-07-22 . 'Gaddi' tribals of J&K celebrate Droupadi Murmu's victory . 2022-07-25 . ThePrint . en-US.
  47. Web site: Bangladesh: Minority ethnic communities celebrate election of Droupadi Murmu as India's President DD News . 2022-07-30 . ddnews.gov.in.