VP's post becomes vacant as Dhankar quits. Fresh election soon? Check what Constitution says

The 74-year-old vice president, who assumed office in August 22 succeeding Venkiah Naidu, said he is resigning due to health reasons

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar on July 21 announced that he is resigning from his post due to health reasons. The Rajya Sabha chairman said he has sent his resignation to the President of India Droupadi Murmu and will quit from his constitutional position with immediate effect.

The 74-year-old vice president assumed office in August 22 succeeding Venkiah Naidu. The former BJP leader and the governor of West Bengal had won the election for the post of vice president with 74.37 percent of votes polled, which was the highest winning margin since the polls in 1992.

As Dhankar exits active political life, an election to the post of vice president is expected to be conducted soon.

So, how exactly the Vice President’s election is conducted?

The vice president of India is elected by an electoral college that consists of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members, according to Article 66 of the constitution. The nominated members of the Upper House are also eligible to vote in the election.

The election to the post is required to be completed before the expiration of the term of the current vice president, the Article 68 of the constitution stipulates.

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The Election Commission of India is vested with powers to conduct the election and the rules say that the notification of the polls must be issued on or after the 60th day before the end of the current VP’s term. The Commission appoints the Secretary-General of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha by rotation as the Returning Officer.

The election to the post is governed by Article 64 to 68 along with Presidential and Vice President Elections Act, 1952.

What happens when there is an unexpected vacancy

The Vice President, once elected, holds office for a period of five years and continues until the successor enters upon his office. The Constitution has no mechanism to determine the successor of the current vice president in case of death or removal from office apart from the announcement of a new election. Till the time the position remains vacant, the deputy chairman of the Rajya Sabha can take the interim role of the chairman.

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Who is eligible to contest for the post?

The candidate running for the post must be the citizen of India and completed 35 years of age. The person also needs to be eligible to be a member of the Rajya Sabha and must not hold any office of profit under the government of India or any states or any other authority.

Where is the election conducted?

The election is generally held in a room in the Parliament House in New Delhi.