Vice-presidential poll to be held on Sept 9 after Dhankhar's resignation

The Election Commission said nominations close on August 21, with polling and counting-if required-scheduled for September 9

The Election Commission on Friday announced that the election for the post of Vice-President of India will be held on September 9, following the sudden resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar last month. 

The Commission said the poll notification will be issued on August 7, and candidates will have until August 21 to file their nominations. The result will be declared on the same day as the polling, if voting is required.

 

Key dates for the Vice-President election

  Notification issue: August 7 (Thursday)

 

Last date for nominations: August 21 (Thursday)

 

Scrutiny of nominations: August 22 (Friday)

 

Withdrawal of candidatures: August 25 (Monday)

 

Polling (if required): September 9 (Tuesday)

 

Counting (if required): September 9 (Tuesday)

 

The Vice-President of India also serves as the ex-officio Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha. 

 

How is the Vice President elected?

 

As per Article 66 of the Constitution, the Vice President is elected by an electoral college comprising members of both Houses of Parliament, including nominated members. Unlike the Presidential election, members of state legislative assemblies are not part of the voting process.

 

The election is conducted using the system of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote (STV), with voting held through a secret ballot. Under STV, MPs mark their preferences, and counting proceeds in rounds until a candidate secures the required quota.

 

To contest, a candidate must be:

 

• A citizen of India
• At least 35 years old
• Eligible for election to the Rajya Sabha
• They must also not hold any office of profit under the Centre, state governments, or government-controlled bodies.

 

The Election Commission on Thursday said it has completed preparations and finalised the electoral college list for the upcoming Vice-Presidential election. 

 

Dhankhar steps down mid-term

 

Jagdeep Dhankhar, who took office in August 2022, resigned on July 21, the first day of the Monsoon Session, citing health reasons. He became the third Vice President to step down before completing the five-year term. In his resignation letter, he said: “To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as the Vice President of India, effective immediately, in accordance with Article 67(a) of the Constitution.”

 

With his departure, the EC has now set in motion the electoral process to fill the vacancy.