Question

Why is the President elected by indirect elections? 

Answer 1

Following are the reasons for indirect elections:

1. Directly electing the President could create a conflict with the Council of Ministers and damage the parliamentary system of ministerial responsibility.
2. With one party dominating the two Houses of Parliament, electing the President by a majority of Union Parliament members could result in him being a nominee of the ruling party, similar to the Prime Minister's position. Such a President cannot represent the Union's constituent states.
3. The President is elected by the Electoral College. In India, the Electoral College comprises elected members from the Houses of Parliament and the Legislative Assemblies of States (Article 54). An Electoral College would pick the President to represent the entire nation while providing a distinct voice for the states.