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Legislative Council Elections Utilize Preferential Voting System

Source:jagranjosh ↗

Why It Matters

Understanding the dual-chamber structure of state legislatures, the specific electoral college for MLCs, and the voting mechanics (preferential voting/STV vs. EVMs) is critical for constitutional polity questions in BPSC Prelims.

Summary

The article discusses the Legislative Council (MLC) elections across states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra, explaining the structural and procedural differences between Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad) polls and Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) polls, including why paper ballots and preferential voting (Single Transferable Vote) are used instead of EVMs.

Key Points

  • MLC (Member of Legislative Council) elections use paper ballots and the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system of proportional representation rather than EVMs, due to the unique preferential voting requirement.
  • The composition of the Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad) under Article 171 includes electorates from local bodies, graduates, teachers, MLAs, and gubernatorial nominees.
  • Bihar is among the Indian states possessing a bicameral legislature, tracing its roots back to the Government of India Act 1919.

Important Terms

Article 171 of the Constitution

Article 171 of the Constitution governs the composition and structure of the State Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad), detailing the mix of elected and nominated members across different constituencies.

UPSC context

Important for GS Paper II (Indian Polity and Constitution); tests conceptual clarity on the structure and bicameralism of state legislatures.

Source
Bihar Legislative Council

The upper house of the bicameral Bihar legislature, comprising 75 members representing diverse electorates including local bodies, graduates, teachers, and MLAs.

UPSC context

Vital for BPSC and Bihar-specific polity questions; tests knowledge of state legislature composition, seats, and biennial election dynamics.

Source
Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council

The upper house of Uttar Pradesh's state legislature with 100 members, serving as a permanent revisory body whose biennial polls involve unique electoral constituencies.

UPSC context

Relevant for GS Paper II / State Polity; tests institutional understanding of India's largest legislative council and its electoral process.

Source

Prelims Trap

MLC elections use Electronic Voting Machines similar to Assembly elections.

Aspirants often confuse MLA elections (First Past the Post using EVMs) with MLC elections (Proportional Representation via Single Transferable Vote using paper ballots).

Static Concepts Connected

Indian Polity - State Legislature

What is the composition and creation mechanism of a State Legislative Council under the Constitution?

  • Electorate Breakdown: Composition ratio under Article 171 includes 1/3rd from local bodies, 1/12th graduates, 1/12th teachers, 1/3rd MLAs, and 1/6th Governor nominees.
  • Article 169 Power: Creation or abolition power vests in Parliament under Article 169, requiring a special majority resolution by the concerned State Legislative Assembly.
  • Strength Limits: Size limits dictate that a Legislative Council cannot exceed one-third of the total Assembly members, with an absolute minimum of 40.

Cross-Topic Patterns

  • Bicameralism Evolution: 1919 Act to Article 169

    The constitutional genesis of Bihar's bicameralism under the Government of India Act 1919 bridges modern legislative structures with British administrative history tested in BPSC.

  • STV Mechanics: MLC vs Rajya Sabha

    Comparing Article 171 electorate compositions with Rajya Sabha elections highlights proportional representation via Single Transferable Vote in Indian federal bodies.

Expect a multi-statement question on Article 171 composition fractions, Article 169 creation/abolition power, and why STV precludes EVMs.

Linked PYQs · 3

Linked PYQs · 3

  • 2022BPSC_PRELIMSGS1

    The members of a State Legislative Council are not chosen by which of the following categories of persons?

  • 2024-IBPSC_PRELIMSGS1

    Which of the following Acts converted Unicameral Legislature of Bihar into Bicameral : Bihar Legislative Assembly and Bihar Legislative Council?

  • 2022BPSC_PRELIMSGS1

    In which year was the first sitting of the Bihar Legislative Council convened?