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Vice President of India Election 2025
Vice President of India Election 2025 : The Vice President of India election 2025 has become one of the most crucial political events of the year, taking place after the unexpected resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on July 21, 2025, due to health reasons. This sudden vacancy has set the stage for an early election — the first of its kind since 1987 — and all eyes are now on Parliament, where lawmakers are casting their votes to elect the 15th Vice President of India.
Why This Election is Important
The Vice President of India is the second-highest constitutional authority after the President. Apart from acting as the constitutional successor to the President in emergencies, the Vice President also serves as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, ensuring discipline and smooth functioning of the Upper House.
This year’s election carries added weight because it comes mid-term, and the outcome will shape the parliamentary dynamics between the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the INDIA bloc opposition.
Election Schedule 2025
The Election Commission of India announced the schedule soon after Dhankhar’s resignation:
- Notification issued: August 7, 2025
- Last date for nominations: August 21, 2025
- Scrutiny of nominations: August 22, 2025
- Withdrawal deadline: August 25, 2025
- Polling date: September 9, 2025 (10:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Parliament House, New Delhi)
- Counting of votes: Same day after 6:00 PM
The entire process is being conducted under Article 66 of the Constitution and the Election Commission’s supervision.
Electoral College Composition
Unlike the Presidential election, where both MPs and MLAs participate, the Vice President is elected only by Members of Parliament (MPs):
- Lok Sabha (House of the People): 543 members
- Rajya Sabha (Council of States): 233 elected members + 12 nominated members
📌 Total Electoral Strength (2025): 782 MPs (accounting for current vacancies).
This inclusion of nominated members makes the Vice President’s election unique compared to the Presidential election.
Candidates in the Fray
1. C. P. Radhakrishnan (NDA Candidate)
- Current Governor of Maharashtra and former BJP MP.
- Backed by the ruling NDA, which holds a majority in Parliament.
- Seen as the frontrunner due to NDA’s numerical advantage.
2. B. Sudershan Reddy (INDIA Bloc Candidate)
- Former Supreme Court judge.
- Represents the united opposition under the INDIA bloc.
- Emphasized that MPs should vote freely without party whips, highlighting the independence of the Vice President’s election.
Political Landscape & Abstentions
Several regional parties have chosen to abstain from voting, including:
- Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), citing farmers’ distress.
- Biju Janata Dal (BJD), to maintain neutrality.
- Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), distancing itself from both alliances.
This abstention is likely to benefit the NDA candidate, as it reduces the effective strength of the opposition vote.
Voting Process Explained
The Vice President’s election uses the system of proportional representation by means of the Single Transferable Vote (STV), with secret ballot voting.
- Every MP has one vote but can mark preferences (1, 2, 3, etc.).
- If no candidate secures the required majority in the first round, the candidate with the least votes is eliminated, and their votes are transferred according to second preferences.
- Voting is independent, and no party whip can be issued, ensuring MPs can vote based on their choice.
📌 A mock poll was also conducted in Parliament to familiarize MPs with the secret ballot system before the actual voting.
Expected Outcome
- With the NDA’s parliamentary strength and abstentions from regional parties, C. P. Radhakrishnan is widely expected to win the Vice President’s election.
- Reports suggest some opposition MPs may also cross-vote in his favor.
- The result will be declared by the Returning Officer on the evening of September 9, 2025, and published in the Official Gazette.
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Conclusion
The Vice President of India Election 2025 highlights the strength of India’s democratic process. While the contest is formally between C. P. Radhakrishnan and B. Sudershan Reddy, the political equations heavily favor the NDA nominee.
Regardless of the outcome, the new Vice President will not only preside over the Rajya Sabha but also stand as the constitutional successor to the President, playing a vital role in ensuring stability and continuity in India’s governance.
