Vice President of India Election: Complete Process, Eligibility, and Voting Procedure Explained

Vice President of India Election

Vice President of India Election : The Vice President of India is the second-highest constitutional authority in the country after the President. Serving as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament), the Vice President plays a crucial role in maintaining the smooth functioning of India’s parliamentary democracy.

Understanding the election process of the Vice President is important for students, aspirants preparing for competitive exams, and every citizen who wishes to know how India’s democracy functions. Let’s explore the eligibility, nomination, election procedure, and term of office in detail.

Constitutional Provisions for the Vice President of India

The election and office of the Vice President are governed by the Indian Constitution:

• Article 63: There shall be a Vice President of India.
• Article 64: The Vice President shall be the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
• Article 66: Deals with the election process.
• Article 67: Deals with the term of office.

Eligibility Criteria for Vice President of India

To contest the Vice President election, a candidate must fulfill the following conditions:

1. Must be a citizen of India.
2. Must have completed 35 years of age.
3. Must be qualified for election as a member of the Rajya Sabha.
4. Should not hold any office of profit under the Government of India, State Government, or any authority controlled by them.

Electoral College for Vice President Election

The Vice President is elected by an Electoral College consisting of:

• Members of both Houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha).
• Nominated members of Parliament are also eligible to vote (unlike the Presidential election).
• Members of State Legislative Assemblies do not participate.

This makes the Vice President’s election different from the Presidential election, which also involves state legislatures.

Nomination Process

• A candidate’s nomination paper must be signed by at least 20 electors as proposers and 20 electors as seconders from the Electoral College.
• The nomination paper must be accompanied by a security deposit of ₹15,000.
• The Election Commission of India (ECI) scrutinizes and approves valid nominations.

Election Procedure

The election of the Vice President is conducted by the Election Commission of India using the following method:

1. Secret Ballot System
   • Voting is done through a secret ballot.
2. Proportional Representation
   • The election follows the system of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote (STV).
   • Each MP casts only one vote, but they can indicate preferences (1, 2, 3, etc.) for candidates.
3. Counting of Votes
   • If no candidate secures the required quota in the first round, the candidate with the least votes is eliminated, and votes are transferred to the next preference.
   • This process continues until a candidate secures the majority.

Term and Oath of Office

• The Vice President holds office for a term of five years from the date of entering office.
• They can be re-elected for multiple terms.
• The oath of office is administered by the President of India or a person appointed by the President.

Removal of Vice President

Unlike the President, the Vice President cannot be impeached. They can be removed by:

• A resolution passed by the Rajya Sabha by an absolute majority (majority of total members).
• The resolution must then be agreed to by the Lok Sabha.

Important Powers and Functions of Vice President

1. Acts as the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha.
2. Presides over Rajya Sabha sessions and ensures discipline.
3. In the absence of the President (due to death, resignation, removal, or incapacity), the Vice President acts as the President of India until a new President is elected.

Key Facts About Vice President Elections

• The first Vice President of India was Dr. S. Radhakrishnan (1952–1962).
• The election is always overseen by the Election Commission of India.
• Nominated MPs also vote in the Vice President election, unlike in the Presidential election.

Conclusion

The Vice President of India election process reflects the democratic framework of the country. With an Electoral College consisting of MPs from both Houses, the election ensures that the Vice President represents the collective choice of the nation’s legislators.

As the guardian of Rajya Sabha proceedings and second-highest constitutional office-holder, the Vice President plays a vital role in maintaining balance and harmony within India’s parliamentary system.

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130th Constitution Amendment Bill: Explosive Provisions, Major Changes, and Political Controversy

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