How is the US president elected? The labyrinth of the Electoral College explained

The year 2024 is considered an election year as major countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and the UK will be holding general elections. Now the US presidential election is scheduled for November 5 and is just a few weeks away.

To become US President, only three criteria must be met: You must be an American citizen, be at least 35 years old and have lived in the country for 14 years.

The US electoral process can be divided into four phases.

The first includes primaries and caucuses in which voters select delegates.

In the second phase, the Republican and Democratic National Conventions are held, where the presidential and vice-presidential candidates are officially nominated.

In the third phase, general elections take place in which citizens cast their votes.

Although the US presidential elections are indirect, the most significant part of them takes place in the fourth phase: the formation of the Electoral College.

What is the Electoral College?

On November 5, voters will choose 538 electors based on the state's population and representation in Congress. A candidate needs 270 electoral votes to become president.

Registered voters in the United States will vote for electors, and then the electors will form an electoral college to choose the new president.

The swing states that are crucial to the outcome of the election will once again be the focus of both parties. After Congress confirms the results on January 6, the newly elected president will take the oath of office on January 20.

Throughout US history, the Electoral College has been accused of not being fully democratic. There have been three instances where a candidate won the presidency despite losing the majority of votes, including Donald Trump's victory over Hillary Clinton in 2016.