Graduates' and teachers' constituencies
Topic: State Government: Governor, Chief Minister, State Legislature and Union Territories · NCERT: Class 9, Ch 7 "Elections"
Meaning
These are two special electorates, or groups of voters, that choose some members of a state's Legislative Council under Article 171. Graduates living in the state, with degrees at least three years old, elect one-twelfth of the members. Teachers with at least three years' service in schools or colleges of secondary level or above also elect one-twelfth. The idea is to give educated people a voice in the upper house.
Example
In a state with a Council, such as Maharashtra or Karnataka, graduates register as voters in a "graduates' constituency" and vote for that seat. Teachers vote separately in a "teachers' constituency". These are in addition to their normal votes in Assembly elections.
Don't confuse with
- Local bodies' and MLAs' shares: One-third of Council members are elected by local bodies and another one-third by MLAs. Graduates and teachers elect only one-twelfth each.
- Nominated members: The Governor nominates one-sixth of the members from fields such as literature, science, art, cooperation and social service.