Question

How many members of Lok Sabha were eligible to vote in the presidential election held in July 2012?
A. 550
B. 544
C. 547
D. 542

Answer 1

Hint: The new president is elected by an electoral college consisting of the elected members of both houses of the parliament. And also by the elected members of the state legislative assemblies and the elected members of the legislative assemblies of the two UTs Delhi and Puducherry.

Complete answer:
In the Lok Sabha total seats are 545, including 2 from the Anglo-Indian community, nominated by the President of India. For the presidential election total, 543 Lok sabha members can vote. In the year 2012 total of 542 members of the Lok sabha were eligible for voting in the presidential election.

Additional Information:
The qualifications which are essential for any Indian citizen to become the President of India are given as follows:
- The candidate must be a citizen of India having a minimum of 35 years of age.
- Must have eligibility to be the member of the Lok Sabha.
- Must not hold any office of profit under the Union or any State government, or even in any local authority.

Hence, the correct answer is option D.

Note:
The 14th indirect presidential election for the 13th president, was held on 19 July 2012. Its last date for filing nominations was 30th June. The two leading candidates for the presidency were former Finance Minister Pranab Pranav Mukherjee from West Bengal and former Speaker of the Lok Sabha P A Sangma from Meghalaya were the two candidates. On 22nd July 2012. Pranav Mukherjee was declared the winner. He was sworn in on 25th July 2012 as 13th President of India.