HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Aug 7: The Election Commission of India has issued the official notification for the Vice-Presidential Election 2025, setting into motion the nomination process for one of the country’s highest constitutional offices.
According to an official statement, the notification was released under sub-sections (4) and (1) of Section 4 of the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952, and published in the Gazette of India on August 7.
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It is being republished in the respective State Gazettes in their official languages to ensure wider dissemination of the election schedule and guidelines.
The process has been initiated to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on July 21, who stepped down citing health reasons.
Though his term was due to end in August 2027, the mid-term nature of this election entitles the incoming Vice President to a full five-year term, as per constitutional provisions.
In line with the Commission’s directions, the Returning Officer for the election—Secretary General of the Rajya Sabha—has issued a public notice under Rule 3 of the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Rules, 1974, in Form 1.
This notice has also been published in the Gazette of India and republished across State Gazettes.
The last date for filing nominations is August 21, and nominations are to be submitted to the Returning Officer or Assistant Returning Officer at Room No RS-28, First Floor, Parliament House, New Delhi, between 11 AM and 3 PM on any working day, excluding public holidays.
The nomination must include a certified copy of the candidate’s entry in the electoral roll of a Parliamentary constituency and the receipt of the ₹15,000 security deposit, which may be paid either in cash to the RO or through the Reserve Bank of India or a Government Treasury.
Nomination forms may be collected from the same office during working hours.
Scrutiny of the nomination papers will take place on August 22 at 11 AM in Room No F-100, Sangoshthi-2, First Floor, Parliament House. The last date for withdrawal of candidature is August 25.
If the election is contested, polling will be conducted on September 9 from 10 AM to 5 PM at Room No F-101, Vasudha, First Floor, Parliament House, New Delhi.
The Vice President is elected through a system of Proportional Representation by means of a single transferable vote, and voting is done by secret ballot.
Members of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, including nominated members of the Upper House, are eligible to vote.
The effective strength of the electoral college is currently 781, with 543 members in the Lok Sabha (one seat vacant in Basirhat, West Bengal) and 240 members in the Rajya Sabha (six seats currently vacant). Of these six, four are from Jammu and Kashmir, while the remaining two are from Punjab and Jharkhand—vacated following the resignation of AAP leader Sanjeev Arora and the demise of JMM veteran Shibu Soren, respectively.
The winning candidate will require a minimum of 391 votes, assuming full participation.
The BJP-led NDA is comfortably placed in this election, with support from 293 of the 542 Lok Sabha members and 129 out of 240 members in the Rajya Sabha.
With the likely backing of the nominated members as well, the ruling alliance is estimated to have the support of around 422 legislators.
Eligibility criteria for the Vice-President’s post include Indian citizenship, a minimum age of 35 years, and qualification for election as a member of the Rajya Sabha.
Candidates must not hold any office of profit under the Government of India, any state government, or a subordinate local authority.
The Vice-President, who also serves as the ex-officio Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, holds office for a term of five years but continues to serve until a successor assumes charge. (With inputs from PTI)
