single transferable vote

The single transferable vote system lets electors rank candidates by preference, rather than choosing just one — a very different logic from India's usual First-Past-the-Post elections.

• It's used specifically for elections where fair representation across regions matters more than simplicity — choosing Rajya Sabha members and the President and Vice President of India.
• The system helps smaller or less populous states get meaningful representation, since ranked preferences can be redistributed in ways that a simple "most votes wins" count can't achieve.
• Because it involves transferring surplus or eliminated votes according to voters' ranked preferences, counting is considerably more elaborate than a First-Past-the-Post tally — which is exactly why the finer mechanics are saved for higher grades.
• Choosing this system for the President's election in particular reflects the office's role: since the President represents the whole country, the method is designed to ensure both populous and smaller states have a meaningful say.