India, Sept. 9 -- India prides itself on being the world's largest democracy. Yet, its two highest constitutional offices - the President and the Vice-President - are chosen not directly by the people but through an intricate web of indirect voting. Critics call it elitist; defenders hail it as balanced federalism. Both are partly right. What cannot be denied is that these elections are far more political and consequential than many imagine.

The System: Elegant, Complex, Essential The President is elected by an Electoral College of MPs and MLAs, with each vote carefully weighted to balance state and national interests. A single transferable vote ensures that consensus, not brute majority, defines the outcome. It is a system designed to p...