Step 1: Understanding the Presidential election system.
The President of India is not elected directly by citizens. Instead, an indirect election takes place through elected members of Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies. This ensures federal balance and equal representation.
Step 2: Constitutional provision.
Article 55 of the Constitution states that the President shall be elected using the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote. This method allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference.
Step 3: Why other options are incorrect.
The first-past-the-post system is used for Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. Proportional representation alone does not describe the complete mechanism used for the President. Electoral College refers to the body that votes, not the system used.
Step 4: Conclusion.
Thus, the correct system used for electing the President of India is the Single Transferable Vote system.