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News18
an hour ago
- Politics
- News18
Jagdeep Dhankar Resigns: How Is India's Vice-President Elected?
Last Updated: As per rules of the Constitution, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh will take over the duties of RS Chairman starting Tuesday till a new Vice-President is elected The sudden resignation of Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar from his post on Monday evening—also Day 1 of Parliament's Monsoon Session—has generated a buzz in political circles. Dhankhar, who sent his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu, cited medical reasons for taking the step and said he is stepping down with immediate effect. 'To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as Vice President of India, effective immediately, in accordance with Article 67(a) of the Constitution," Dhankhar said in his letter. As per the rules of the Constitution, Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha Harivansh Narayan Singh will take over the duties of Rajya Sabha Chairman (V-P) starting Tuesday till a new Vice-President is elected. Following Dhankar's resignation, the position of Vice President of India—who also serves as the Rajya Sabha's chairman—is now vacant, paving the way for a closely watched and potentially high-stakes election in the days ahead. Here's how the V-P is elected in India Who elects the Vice-President of India? The Vice-President is elected by an Electoral College, which consists of the members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha (both elected and nominated members). 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 member of the Council of States (Rajya Sabha). A person is not also eligible if he holds any office of profit under the Government of India or a State Government or any subordinate local authority. What are the other conditions to be fulfilled? Nomination paper of a candidate for the election in the prescribed form (Form 3 appended to the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Rules, 1974) has to be subscribed by at least 20 electors as proposers and at least 20 electors as seconders and has to be presented to the Returning Officer, between 11am and 3pm on any day appointed for the purpose, either by the candidate himself or by any of his proposers or seconders. The Security Deposit for the election of Rs 15,000 should also be deposited either in cash with the Returning Officer or a receipt showing that the amount has been deposited by the candidate or on his behalf in the Reserve Bank of India or in a Government Treasury should be furnished along with the nomination paper. The candidate is also required to furnish a certified copy of the entry showing his name in the current electoral roll for the parliamentary constituency in which the candidate is registered as an elector. Who conducts the election to the Office of Vice-President of India? Under Article 324 of the Constitution of India, the authority to conduct elections to the Office of Vice-President is vested in the Election Commission of India. What is the term of the office of the Vice-President? The Vice-President holds office for a term of 5 years from the date on which he enters upon his office. However, notwithstanding the expiration of his term, he shall continue to hold office, until his successor enters upon his office. In the case of death, removal or resignation of the Vice-President, the Constitution does not provide any method of succession, apart from a fresh election. However, in such event, the Deputy Chairman can function as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. What electoral system/process is adopted for the election? As per Article 66(1) of the Constitution of India, the election of the Vice-President shall be held in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of single transferable vote and the voting at such election shall be by secret ballot. Each MP ranks the candidates in order of preference (1, 2, 3, etc). A prospective candidate must secure at least 20 proposers and 20 seconders from among MPs to file a valid nomination. A security deposit of Rs 15,000 is also required. To win, a candidate must obtain a majority of the valid votes cast—meaning more than half. If no one meets this quota based on first-preference votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their votes are redistributed according to the voters' next preferences. This process continues until a candidate surpasses the required threshold. The Election Commission must hold a fresh election promptly, preferably within 60 days of the position becoming vacant. Who is appointed the Returning Officer/Assistant Returning Officer for the election? By convention, the Secretary General, Lok Sabha or the Secretary General, Rajya Sabha is appointed as the Returning Officer, by rotation. Two other senior officers of the Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha Secretariat are appointed as the Assistant Returning Officers. The Election Commission of India makes such appointments. Where is the election to the Office of Vice-President held? A room in the Parliament House in New Delhi is generally fixed as the place of poll. How is the value of votes of members of the Electoral College calculated? Unlike the Presidential election (where the value of votes cast by the Members of Parliament and of the various State Legislative Assemblies is different), the value of every vote cast in the Vice-Presidential election has the same value i.e. 1(one). Are the provisions of the Anti-Defection law applicable in Vice-Presidential elections? No. Members of the Electoral College can vote according to their choice/wish and are not bound by any party whip. The voting is by secret ballot. Is the winner in a Vice-Presidential election elected on the basis of obtaining simple majority? Or by securing a specified quota of votes? As the Vice-Presidential election is held in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of single transferable vote, every elector has as many preferences as candidate contesting the elections. The winning candidate has to secure the required quota of votes to be declared elected, is 50 per cent of the valid votes cast +(plus) 1. What is the procedure of counting in a Vice-Presidential election? How is the quota of votes to be secured by the winning candidate determined? After the valid ballot papers are segregated from the invalid ones, the valid ballot papers are distributed among the contesting candidates on the basis of first preference marked on each of them for those candidates. The number of votes which each contesting candidate gets in this process is ascertained. The total number of valid votes secured by all contesting candidates is then ascertained by adding together the number of votes secured by each of them. This is the first round of counting. For ascertaining the quota sufficient to secure the return of a candidate, the total number of valid votes cast at the election as ascertained in the first round of counting is then divided by two, and one is added to the quotient so obtained, ignoring the remainder, if any. The number so determined, is the quota, which a candidate should secure to be declared elected. If the total value of the votes credited to any candidate at the first count, is equal to, or greater than the quota sufficient to secure the return of a candidate, he is declared elected by the Returning Officer. If, however, after the first round of counting, no candidate secures the requisite quota, then the counting proceeds on the basis of a process of elimination and exclusion, whereby the candidate credited with the lowest number of votes is excluded and all his ballot papers are distributed among the remaining (continuing) candidates on the basis of the second preferences marked thereon. The ballot papers on which second preference is not marked is treated as exhausted ballot papers and shall not be further counted, even if the third or subsequent preferences are marked thereon. If no candidate secures the requisite quota, then the process of counting will continue on the same basis of elimination and exclusion, till a candidate secures the required quota of votes. In case, even after the exclusion of the candidates receiving the lowest number of votes, no candidates secures the requisite quota and ultimately one candidate remains as the lone continuing candidate, he is declared elected even if he has failed to secure the quota sufficient to secure the return of a candidate. At an election where there are only two contesting candidates, the result of election will be known after the first round of counting itself. The candidate who has secured more number of votes than the other candidate shall be declared elected, as he has obviously secured the quota, i.e. 50 per cent of valid votes cast plus one. Can the results of the election to the Office of Vice-President be challenged? Yes. An election to the Office of the Vice-President can be called in question by means of an election petition presented to the Supreme Court. Such election petition should be presented by a candidate or ten or more electors joined together, and may be presented at any time after the date of publication of the declaration containing the name of the returned candidate at the election under Section 12 (of the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952), but not later than 30 days from the date of such publication. top videos View all Can a former V-P contest again? Yes. The Indian Constitution does not restrict the number of terms a person can serve as Vice-President. A former Vice-President is fully eligible to contest again, whether immediately after completing a term or after a gap. They can serve multiple terms if elected through the prescribed process. About the Author Apoorva Misra Apoorva Misra is News Editor at with over nine years of experience. She is a graduate from Delhi University's Lady Shri Ram College and holds a PG Diploma from Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. More Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : BJP Jagdeep Dhankhar pm narendra modi rajya sabha view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 22, 2025, 13:53 IST News explainers Jagdeep Dhankar Resigns: How Is India's Vice-President Elected? Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Hindu
an hour ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigns LIVE: What does the Constitution say about the V-P elections when the post falls vacant?
With the resignation of Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, the Election Commission of India (ECI) will have to announce polls to fill the position with immediate effect as the constitutional post cannot be left vacant. The V-P is elected by an Electoral College, which consists of the members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha — both elected and nominated. Members of the Electoral College can vote according to their choice and are not bound by any party whip. WATCH | Analysis: Why did Vice-President Dhankhar resign Speculations are rife after Mr. Dhankhar's sudden resignation, with the Congress party today (July 22, 2025) alleging 'far serious reasons' behind it. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that the Vice-President was not informed of the absence of two Union Ministers – J.P. Nadda and Kiren Rijiju – from the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting at 4.30 p.m. yesterday (July 21, 2025) and so Mr. Dhankhar 'rightly took umbrage and rescheduled the BAC for today at 1 p.m.' The Congress party has also asked the Centre to clarify if they had prior information about the resignation and if there was a transition plan. Also Read | Dhankhar's resignation 'totally unexpected', more to it than meets the eye: Congress However, Mr. Nadda responded to the charge and said that the V-P's office was informed of his and Mr. Rijiju's inability to attend the meeting. Meanwhile, Parliament reconvened today (July 22, 2025) for the second day of the Monsoon Session without Mr. Dhankhar. Deputy Chairman Harivansh chaired the House proceedings.
Indian Express
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Daily Briefing: V-P Jagdeep Dhankhar resigns; behind 2006 Mumbai blasts case acquittals
Good morning, In a late evening surprise, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar announced that he was stepping down from his post to 'prioritise healthcare and abide by medical advice'. In a letter to President Droupadi Murmu, he said the resignation was effective immediately. The announcement came just hours after what turned out to be his final sitting as the Rajya Sabha Chairman on Monday. Dhankhar took charge of the V-P office in August 2022, setting off a turbulent journey. So far, he's the only V-P against whom the Opposition brought a notice of removal for 'partisan' conduct as the Rajya Sabha Chairman. The Opposition has raised questions over the abrupt resignation, given that there were no indications during the day or before the start of Parliament's Monsoon Session. Many have wondered if there is more to it than meets the eye. Dhankhar had been hospitalised earlier this year for a procedure after complaining of uneasiness, but has been back to official duty since then. A BJP source told The Indian Express that the government was left 'embarrassed' after Dhankhar moved the Opposition's motion to remove Justice Yashwant Varma in the Upper House on Monday just as the government was preparing to bring its own motion in the Lok Sabha. Dhankhar was caught in a bind since the Opposition had enough numbers and he could not reject them. Some BJP leaders have also opined that the party was unhappy with Dhankhar's frequent run-ins with the judiciary. So, what's next? The Constitution has no set deadline for filling in a vacant V-P position. However, elections are to be held 'as soon as possible'. Here's what that will entail. On that note, let's get to the rest of the day's headlines. Nearly two decades ago, on July 11, 2006, Mumbai was struck with one of the most devastating terror attacks in the country's history. A series of blasts ripped through seven Mumbai local train coaches, killing 189 commuters and injuring 824 others. On Monday, the Bombay High Court acquitted all 12 men convicted in the case, noting that the prosecution had 'utterly failed to establish offences beyond reasonable doubt against the accused'. How the case fell: The court has questioned the 'genuineness' of the accused's confessions, given that they were identical to each other, though different DCPs recorded them. The court also noted allegations of custodial torture. It also flagged gaps in witness statements. For instance, it observed that taxi drivers who gave the statement that two accused travelled in their taxis were silent for 100 days after the incident, and that there was no special reason to trigger their memory about the faces and description of the accused after such a long period. My colleagues Omkar Gokhale and Apurva Vishvanath explain in detail. The accused: Charged under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crimes Act (MCOCA), five of the accused were handed death sentences and seven were given life terms. Hours after the Monday verdict, eight accused were released from different jails. Two continue to be held due to pending cases against them, while another was already released on parole. One of them died due to Covid-19 in 2021. The accused had filed '20-25 RTI applications a day' to seek information about police logbooks, hospital records and investigators' records to build the defence. Also read: 17 yrs ago, gaps in probe, question mark over identity of accused Foolproof: The Election Commission (EC) has refused to accept the Supreme Court's suggestion to consider Aadhaar, voter ID and ration cards for its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. However, it noted that it was its 'Constitutional authority' to determine whether the requirement of citizenship is fulfilled by electors. Still, an individual's citizenship will 'not terminate' on account of being held ineligible as an elector. It also gave reasons for not accepting the SC's suggestion. Read. A third black box? In the aftermath of the Air India plane crash, one question has sparked intense speculation globally: What happened inside the cockpit? In its wake, another debate has resurfaced: Should aircraft cockpits have a video recorder? While investigators have long demanded a third black box, which could help bring more clarity, pilot unions have strongly pushed back against the idea. The fatal bite: The recent death of 42-year-old Deepak Mahawar, a popular snake rescuer from Madhya Pradesh's Guna district, has put a spotlight on the long list of such casualties. He is not an isolated case. Jay Mazoomdaar looks at the gaps in this informal industry, which has both social media influencers earning a following for 'snake stunts' and expert handlers, who may play by the book but still face significant dangers on the job. 🤘🎸 Is rock and roll dying? The early 2000s saw Indians obsessed with rock and roll. And as the independent music scene burst onto the scene, local bands emerged. They may have started with covers of Led Zeppelin or The Beatles, but went on to find their sound. It seemed that the thirst for rock could never be satiated — until today, when the craze appears to have died down. Rock and roll may be losing the battle to the algorithm, but veteran musicians like Parikrama's founder, Subir Malik, say the live event space may save the genre. 🎧 Before you go, do tune in to the latest '3 Things' podcast episode. Today's lineup: Why Gurgaon floods, measuring India's inequality, and VS Achuthanandan's passing. That's all for today, folks! Until tomorrow, Sonal Gupta Sonal Gupta is a senior sub-editor on the news desk. She writes feature stories and explainers on a wide range of topics from art and culture to international affairs. She also curates the Morning Expresso, a daily briefing of top stories of the day, which won gold in the 'best newsletter' category at the WAN-IFRA South Asian Digital Media Awards 2023. She also edits our newly-launched pop culture section, Fresh Take. ... Read More
New Indian Express
01-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Dhankhar says Governors often treated like easy punching bags in states
NEW DELHI: Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Monday expressed concern over the allegations being levelled against constitutional post holders, particularly governors, in states governed by opposition parties, saying that the governors are often treated like 'easy punching bags'. He also lamented the growing trend of dragging high constitutional positions such as the President and Vice-President into political controversies. Speaking at the 'Sneh Milan Samaroh' organised in Jaipur, Dhankhar remarked, 'When the Governor is in the state, they are often treated like an easy punching bag. If the state government and the Central government are ruled by different political parties, it becomes very easy to make allegations.' The V-P noted that this trend has evolved over time: 'Now even the Vice-President and the President are being dragged into this domain. Responding to a recent claim by former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot, who had alleged that several individuals holding constitutional posts were under pressure, Dhankhar categorically stated: 'I am under no pressure; I do not exert pressure on anyone, nor do I work under pressure.' He added that, to his knowledge, even Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla could not be subjected to pressure: 'I have personally observed that Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla cannot be brought under pressure. I work with him closely.' In a lighter vein, Dhankhar said, 'I was a little concerned—not for my health—but for my friend, the former CM, who said we are under pressure. He is one of my oldest friends in Rajasthan politics and a well-wisher. Since he spoke publicly, I would also like to say publicly—he need not worry. I am under no pressure, nor do I pressure anyone, nor do I operate under pressure.' Expressing unease over the political climate, he said, 'The current political temperature are not healthy—neither for individuals nor for democracy.' Dhankhar also stressed the cyclical nature of political power, emphasising that changes in government should not breed enmity. 'But that does not mean we should become enemies. Our enemies may lie across the border—not within the country,' he said, adding that national interest must transcend political differences. 'When we go abroad, there is no ruling or opposition party — it's only Bharat.'
Hans India
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Universities should serve as sanctuaries of ideas and ideation: V-P Dhankhar
The state of education defines not only the state of academics, but the state of the nation, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar said on Monday, calling for universities to grow into sanctuaries of ideas and ideation. Addressing vice-chancellors of universities at a conference of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), the V-P said, 'When we look back to our ancient history, we are reminded of our rich past. It is time Bharat must build world-class institutions, not just to teach, but to pioneer.' He also unveiled a commemorative Coffee Table Book depicting 100 years of excellence of AIU in higher education. The Vice President also called for universities to play the role of social change. 'Our universities are not merely meant to hand out degrees. The degrees must carry great weightage. Universities have to be sanctuaries of ideas and ideation, crucibles of innovation. They have to catalyse big change.' 'That responsibility rests on the Vice-Chancellors, in particular, and the academia in general. Therefore, I appeal to you: there must be space for disagreement, debate, dialogue and discussion. Abhivyakti, Vaad Vivaad, Anant Vaad are inalienable facets of our civilisation and democracy,' he said. Stressing on innovations, Dhankhar said, 'We cannot remain perpetual students of Western innovation when our demographic dividend positions us as the world's knowledge epicentre. These are not mere disciplines. These are levers of assurance of our sovereignty in all times to come.' Focusing on the reach of institutions, the V-P said, 'Many of our institutions have remained brownfield. Let us fall in line with the global groove, let's go green. Greenfield institutions alone bring about equitable distribution of these knowledge centres.' He said there are places that are untouched by the growth of these institutions. A large section of the population is deprived of these benefits on account of distance. 'Let us go in for greenfield institutions in areas that have so far not benefited from such institutions,' he said. Dhankhar also motivated heads of institutions to promote affordable education. 'Vice-Chancellors are not only the watchdogs, but also impregnable bulwarks to commodification and commercialisation of education, because one of our fundamental objectives to transform the nation is affordability and accessibility of quality education for ordinary people,' he said. The two-day conference to celebrate the establishment of AIU is themed 'Envisioning Future Higher Education: The Pivotal Role of India'. The event is being attended by 300 vice-chancellors from across the country. Another 200 VCs will join the event online. The conference is focused on releasing an action plan for the transformation of higher education and preparing a policy note on 'Future of Higher Education'.
