Latest news with #Vice-PresidentialElections
United News of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- United News of India
EC starts preparations for Vice President's election
New Delhi, July 23 (UNI) Two days after Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned citing health reasons, the Election Commission of India has started preparations to conduct an election for the second highest constitutional post in the country. The central government on Tuesday notified the resignation of Dhankhar, an official communique issued here on Wednesday said. 'The election to the office of the Vice President of India is governed by The Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952 and the rules made thereunder, namely the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Rules, 1974. Accordingly, the Election Commission of India has already started the preparations relating to the Vice-Presidential Elections, 2025,' it said. The election schedule, it said, would be declared once the required preparations are made by the Election Commission, the official document added. According to the constitution, to fill the vacant post of Vice President, in case the vacancy arises due to death, resignation, removal, or otherwise, the election is organised as early as possible. The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has a majority in both the houses of the parliament, which clearly gives it an upper hand in the election as votes from members of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha decide it. Meanwhile, Dhankhar's sudden resignation on the very first day of the monsoon session of the parliament had surprised everyone in the country's political scenario. UNI SK 1425
India.com
7 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
ECI Begins Vice-Presidential Election Preparations Two Days After Jagdeep Dhankhar's Unexpected Resignation
The Election Commission of India has started preparations for the Vice-Presidential Elections, 2025. This comes a day after Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar tendered his resignation on Tuesday, citing health-related reasons. The election to the office of the Vice President of India is governed by The Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952, and the rules made under it -- The Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Rules, 1974. "Accordingly, the Election Commission of India has already started the preparations relating to the Vice-Presidential Elections, 2025. On completion of the preparatory activities, the announcement of the Election Schedule to the office of the Vice-President of India will follow as soon as possible," the polls body said. The ECI also mentioned that major pre-announcement activities, which are already been started, include preparation of Electoral College, which consists of elected as well as nominated members of Rajya Sabha as well as Lok Sabha; Finalisation of Returning Officer/ Assistant Returning Officer(s); and Preparation and dissemination of Background Material on all the previous Vice-Presidential elections. Until that election is concluded, the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha steps in to discharge the Vice President's parliamentary duties, including presiding over proceedings in the Upper House. However, this temporary arrangement does not confer the title of Acting Vice President or confer broader constitutional authority beyond the Rajya Sabha chairmanship. According to experts, under the Constitution, the Election Commission must fill the vacancy "as soon as possible", typically within six months. The new Vice President, once elected, will serve a full five-year term rather than simply completing the remainder of Dhankhar's tenure. Top Contenders Vice President Post Apart from Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, one of the key contenders being considered for the vice president's post is Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman and Janata Dal (United) MP Harivansh Singh. He has been in the post since 2020 and is seen as a trusted figure with the current administration. Other potential candidates reportedly include Congress MP Shashi Tharoor and former Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud. According to media reports, the BJP is also exploring the option of choosing a current state governor—as was adopted by Jagdeep Dhankhar, who was the governor of West Bengal before assuming the vice president's post—or possibly a senior Union minister with significant experience in parliamentary affairs.
Hans India
7 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Election Commission starts process to elect new Vice President
New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday announced the commencement of the election process for the Office of the Vice President after Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from the post. Dhankhar tendered his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu on July 21, citing health concerns. "The MHA vide its Gazette Notification S.O.3354(E) dated July 22, 2025, has notified the resignation of Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, Vice President of India," the ECI said in a statement, adding that it is, under Article 324, "mandated" to conduct the election to the office of the Vice President of India. The election to the office of the Vice President of India is governed by The Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952, and the rules made under it -- The Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Rules, 1974. "Accordingly, the Election Commission of India has already started the preparations relating to the Vice-Presidential Elections, 2025. On completion of the preparatory activities, the announcement of the Election Schedule to the office of the Vice-President of India will follow as soon as possible," the polls body said. The ECI also mentioned that major pre-announcement activities, which are already been started, include preparation of Electoral College, which consists of elected as well as nominated members of Rajya Sabha as well as Lok Sabha; Finalisation of Returning Officer/ Assistant Returning Officer(s); and Preparation and dissemination of Background Material on all the previous Vice-Presidential elections. Until that election is concluded, the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha steps in to discharge the Vice President's parliamentary duties, including presiding over proceedings in the Upper House. However, this temporary arrangement does not confer the title of Acting Vice President or confer broader constitutional authority beyond the Rajya Sabha chairmanship. According to experts, under the Constitution, the Election Commission must fill the vacancy "as soon as possible", typically within six months. The new Vice President, once elected, will serve a full five-year term rather than simply completing the remainder of Dhankhar's tenure.
News18
7 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Vice-President Election After Dhankhar's Resignation: ECI Starts Preparation, Announcement Soon
Last Updated: Vice-President Election: Jagdeep Dhankar, 74, resigned from his post citing health reasons in a letter to President Droupadi Murmu Two days after Jagdeep Dhankhar's unexpected resignation from the post of Vice-President, the Election Commission of India (ECI) said on Wednesday it has begun preparations to fill the vacancy and will announce the election schedule soon after the 'completion of the preparatory activities". The 74-year-old resigned from his post citing health reasons in a letter to President Droupadi Murmu, also shared by the Vice-President's official X account late on Monday. While there is no fixed deadline to fill the vacancy in India's second-highest constitutional office, the law mandates that the election should be held at the earliest. In its statement, the poll body said that the Union Home Ministry on Tuesday notified the resignation of Dhankhar and the ECI, under Article 324, is mandated to conduct the election. 'The election to the office of the Vice President of India is governed by The Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952 and the rules made thereunder… Accordingly, the Election Commission of India has already started the preparations relating to the Vice-Presidential Elections, 2025," the poll body said. On completion of the preparatory activities, it added, the announcement of the election schedule 'will follow as soon as possible". Key preparatory activities already underway include drafting the electoral college list (comprising elected and nominated members of both Houses), appointing returning officers, and compiling background material on previous elections. Unlike the presidential election, where state assemblies take part, the vice-president is elected by the members from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, including nominated members. — Vice-President of India (@VPIndia) July 21, 2025 Dhankhar was elected as the 14th vice-president in August 2022 and his term had two more years. Dhankhar is the third vice-president in the country's history who resigned before completing the term. VV Giri and R. Venkataraman left the post mid-term as they had to contest presidential elections. In December 2024, a motion of impeachment was proposed by 54 opposition MPs against Dhankhar but it was not accepted. In his resignation letter, Dhankhar said he has to prioritise health care. '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," the resignation letter reads. view comments First Published: July 23, 2025, 13:42 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Indian Express
7 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
EC sets ball rolling for Vice-Presidential election, days after Dhankhar's surprise resignation
The Election Commission on Wednesday announced that it had started the process for holding the election for the post of Vice-President, less than 48 hours after former V-P Jagdeep Dhankhar's sudden mid-term resignation on Monday evening. In a statement, the EC said the Ministry of Home Affairs had notified Dhankhar's resignation on Tuesday. 'The Election Commission of India, under Article 324, is mandated to conduct the election to the office of the Vice President of India. The election to the office of the Vice President of India is governed by the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952, and the rules made thereunder, namely the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Rules, 1974. Accordingly, the Election Commission of India has already started the preparations relating to the Vice-Presidential Elections, 2025,' the EC said. It added that once preparations are complete, the election schedule would be announced as soon as possible. Among the activities that have commenced are the preparation of the electoral college — which consists of elected as well as nominated members of the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha — finalisation of the Returning Officer/Assistant Returning Officer(s), and preparation and dissemination of background material on all previous Vice-Presidential elections, the EC said. Under the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, the Election Commission is bound by a 30 to 32-day statutory timeline once it notifies the election schedule. The law allows 14 days for filing nominations, followed by one day for scrutiny and a two-day window for withdrawal of candidatures. If a poll is required, it must be held no earlier than 15 days after the withdrawal deadline — making it at least 32 days from notification to result. The Vice-President is elected by an electoral college made up of members from both Houses of Parliament — Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha — including nominated members. Unlike in a presidential election, state legislatures do not participate. Voting is held in Parliament House in New Delhi, by secret ballot, using the system of proportional representation with a single transferable vote. Each MP casts a vote by ranking candidates in order of preference. All votes carry equal value. To be declared elected, a candidate must reach a required minimum number of votes — called the quota. This is calculated by dividing the total number of valid votes by two and adding one (fractions, if any, are ignored). If no candidate crosses the quota in the first round, the one with the fewest first-preference votes is eliminated, and their votes are transferred to the remaining candidates based on second preferences. The process continues until one candidate crosses the quota. Dhankhar, the former West Bengal governor and a lawyer by profession, was elected to the post of V-P in 2022. His term was to end in August 2027. Citing health concerns, he wrote a resignation letter to President Droupadi Murmu on Monday evening, just hours after he had presided over the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha. According to sources, there was friction between the government and Dhankhar over his decision to admit an Opposition-moved impeachment motion against Justice Yashwant Verma in the Upper House on Monday evening, even as the BJP was preparing to move its own motion with the support of Opposition MPs in the Lok Sabha. The only public statement from the government so far was Prime Minister Narendra Modi's post on X on Tuesday: 'Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar Ji has got many opportunities to serve our country in various capacities, including as the Vice President of India. Wishing him good health,' the PM said.
