Election Commission announces date for Vice President's poll, days after Jagdeep Dhankhar's shock exit
The last date for nominations for the VP's election is August 21, while the date of polling is Sept 9. The votes would be counted on the same day.
The 17th vice presidential election will be held on September 9, the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced on Friday, days after Jagdeep Dhankhar's abrupt resignation on July 21.
The election notification will be issued on August 7, and August 21 will be the last date for filing nominations. The nominations will be scrutinised on August 22. The candidatures can be withdrawn until August 25.
The ECI is required to fill the vice president's post as soon as possible as per the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952, and the Constitution.
The electoral college for the election comprises 788 members of Parliament, including 233 elected and 12 nominated members of the Rajya Sabha and 543 elected Lok Sabha lawmakers. Five vacancies in the Rajya Sabha and one in the Lok Sabha bring the strength of the electoral college to 782.
Each vote holds equal value (one vote per member). The election is conducted through a system of proportional representation through the single transferable vote.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-led alliance has 293 members in the Lok Sabha and 133 in the Rajya Sabha.
{{/usCountry}}The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-led alliance has 293 members in the Lok Sabha and 133 in the Rajya Sabha.
{{/usCountry}}The ECI said voting would be conducted by secret ballot and electors must mark their preferences using a special pen provided at the polling booth. “Voting by using any other pen shall lead to invalidation of the vote at the time of counting,” the ECI said in a statement.
{{/usCountry}}The ECI said voting would be conducted by secret ballot and electors must mark their preferences using a special pen provided at the polling booth. “Voting by using any other pen shall lead to invalidation of the vote at the time of counting,” the ECI said in a statement.
{{/usCountry}}The Rajya Sabha secretary general has been appointed as the returning officer for the election.
{{/usCountry}}The Rajya Sabha secretary general has been appointed as the returning officer for the election.
{{/usCountry}}At least 20 proposers and 20 seconders from the electoral college must subscribe to a nomination paper. Each candidate can submit up to four nomination papers. A security deposit of ₹15,000 must be paid either at the time of nomination or in advance through the Reserve Bank of India or a government treasury.
{{/usCountry}}At least 20 proposers and 20 seconders from the electoral college must subscribe to a nomination paper. Each candidate can submit up to four nomination papers. A security deposit of ₹15,000 must be paid either at the time of nomination or in advance through the Reserve Bank of India or a government treasury.
{{/usCountry}}Political parties are prohibited from issuing whips to their members for this election. Any violation of secrecy or improper voting procedure results in cancellation of the ballot. “There is no concept of open voting in this election, and showing the ballot to anyone under any circumstances is prohibited,” the ECI said.
The ECI has released a ₹50 booklet detailing vice-presidential elections. A list of the electoral college is available for ₹100. It said it would appoint observers for polling and counting, and that the entire process would be conducted in an eco-friendly manner. The ECI has directed the returning officer to avoid the use of plastic and promote biodegradable materials in line with the government instructions.
Here is the schedule of the Vice President's election:
- Issue of Election Commission’s notification- 7 August, 2025 (Thursday)
- Last date for making nominations- 21 August, 2025 (Thursday)
- Date for the Scrutiny of nominations- 22 August, 2025 (Friday)
- Last date for the withdrawal of candidatures- 25 August, 2025 (Monday)
- Date of polling (if necessary)- 9 September, 2025 (Tuesday)
- Date of counting (if required)- 9 September, 2025 (Tuesday)
How is the Vice President Elected?
The Vice-President is elected by an electoral college in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote, the Vice President's office website stated.
Also Read: VP Jagdeep Dhankar resigns: How is the Vice President elected?
The Electoral College to elect a person to the office of the Vice-President consists of all members of both Houses of Parliament.
On Thursday, the Election Commission informed that it has completed the preparation and finalised the electoral college list for the upcoming Vice-Presidential Election.
A person cannot be elected as Vice-President unless he:
- is a citizen of India;
- has completed the age of 35 years, and
- is qualified for election as a Rajya Sabha MP.
A person is also not eligible if he holds any office of profit under the central or the state governments or any subordinate local authority.
