The Election Commission of India has recently released the dates for the upcoming elections to fill six vacant Rajya Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu. The Rajya Sabha, also known as the upper house of Parliament, is a key component of India’s political system. Inspired by the UK’s House of Lords, this legislative body plays a crucial role in passing laws and shaping national policy. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the constitutionally-defined composition of the Rajya Sabha, how its members are elected, and how their tenure operates.
Understanding the Composition of the Rajya Sabha
The Rajya Sabha’s formation is detailed within Article 80 of the Indian Constitution. This provides for a total membership of up to 250, with the current House consisting of 245 members. Of these, 233 are elected representatives and 12 are individuals nominated by the President of India for their significant contributions to the fields of art, literature, science, and social service.
The number of seats allocated to each state in the Rajya Sabha is determined by its population size. However, due to certain symbolic aspects, changes in state boundaries or the creation of new states can lead to a change in the number of elected seats.
The Vice-President holds the position of the ex-officio chairperson of the Rajya Sabha. During their absence, the Deputy Chairman—who is elected amongst the house’s members—handles the day-to-day operations.
Tenure of Rajya Sabha Members
Each Rajya Sabha member serves for a term of six years. Every two years, elections are held for one-third of the seats to maintain continuity in the House. As per Section 154 of the Representation of the People Act 1951, if a member is elected during a casual vacancy, they will only serve for the remainder of his predecessor’s term.
Key Facts About the Rajya Sabha
| S.No | Fact |
|---|---|
| 1. | The Rajya Sabha can have a maximum of 250 members |
| 2. | 12 members of the Rajya Sabha are nominated by the President of India |
| 3. | The Vice-President of India is the ex-officio chairperson of the Rajya Sabha |
| 4. | Rajya Sabha members serve for a term of six years |
| 5. | Rajya Sabha elections are held every two years for one-third of the seats |
Process of Election for Rajya Sabha Members
The elections for the Rajya Sabha deviate from those of the Lok Sabha because they are indirect. This means that instead of being elected by the general population, candidates are voted in by the Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) within their respective states. This process employs a system of proportional representation with a Single Transferable Vote (STV), whereby each MLA’s vote is counted once.
To secure a Rajya Sabha seat, a candidate must secure a minimum number of votes. This figure is calculated using the formula: Total number of votes / (Number of Rajya Sabha seats + 1 ) + 1. By using this formula, the system ensures a fair representation of parties in the Rajya Sabha.
