Election Commission Initiates Vice-Presidential Poll Process
The Election Commission of India has set the process for the next vice-presidential election in motion by appointing Rajya Sabha Secretary General P.C. Mody as the Returning Officer. The election was necessitated by the surprise mid-term resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar, who cited health reasons. The Vice-President is elected by an electoral college consisting of members of both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. A poll schedule is expected to be announced shortly to fill the rare constitutional vacancy.
Unpacked:
Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from the Vice President’s office citing health reasons, leading to a rare mid-term vacancy nearly two years before the scheduled end of his term. No further details about his specific health concerns have been officially disclosed.
The Vice-President is elected by an electoral college comprising members of both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, including nominated members. State legislatures do not participate. Voting is by secret ballot using proportional representation with a single transferable vote system.
The Constitution requires the election to be held 'as soon as possible' after a vacancy. Legally, once the schedule is notified, the process—including nominations, scrutiny, withdrawals, polling, and counting—must be completed within 30–32 days.
The Election Commission of India oversees the process, appointing a Returning Officer (currently Rajya Sabha Secretary General P.C. Mody) to manage the election, which is governed by the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952, and related rules.