The Election Commission of India (ECI) has officially begun with the preparations to conduct the Vice Presidential election, following with the unexpected resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar. The Ministry of Home Affairs have confirmed his resignation through a Gazette Notification dated 22 July 2025, citing with the health reasons as the cause for stepping down.
As per Article 324 of the Constitution
The ECI is responsible for conducting elections to the office of the Vice President. The process follows up by the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952, and the rules laid out in 19742.
The Commission has already started several key tasks. These include:
Appointing the Returning Officer and Assistant Returning Officers
- Compiling the Electoral College list, which consists of the members from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, including all the nominated MPs3
- Preparing the reference material on past Vice Presidential elections
- Finalizing logistical arrangements for the polling process
Unlike the Presidential election
Only members of Parliament elect the Vice President, unlike the Presidential election where state legislatures also vote. The Electoral College includes 543 Lok Sabha members and 245 Rajya Sabha members, totaling approximately 790 voters. They cast their votes through a secret ballot, using the proportional representation system with a single transferable vote.
Once all preparations are complete
The Election Commission will announce the official election schedule, and the new Vice President will assume office shortly after the polls to maintain the continuity of the constitutional framework.
Jagdeep Dhankhar
He was elected Vice President in 2022 and had a term that was supposed to end in August 2027. His resignation has now been triggered all the political discussions about the potential candidates for the post.
The Election Commission’s swift action
It reflects its commitment to maintaining the democratic processes and ensuring for a smooth transition. As the country that awaits the announcement of the election date, attention now turns to the political parties and their choice of nominees.
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