Election Commission Begins Preparations For Vice-President Election Following Jagdeep Dhankhar's Resign

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has formally acknowledged the resignation of Vice President Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar through a Gazette Notification dated 22 July 2025. With the post now officially vacant, the responsibility of conducting the Vice-Presidential election falls to the Election Commission of India (ECI), as per Article 324 of the Constitution. The election process is governed by the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952, and the rules laid out in 1974.

Preparations for the 2025 Vice-Presidential election are already in progress. The Election Commission is actively working to complete several important tasks before announcing the election schedule. These include appointing the Returning Officer and Assistant Returning Officers and compiling the Electoral College list.

Unlike the Presidential election, where only elected members of Parliament and state legislatures vote, the Vice President is elected solely by the members of both Houses of Parliament-Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. This includes both elected and nominated members. The election is conducted through a secret ballot using the proportional representation system via a single transferable vote.

The Electoral College for the Vice-Presidential election thus comprises 245 Rajya Sabha members and 543 Lok Sabha members, along with nominated MPs, making the total number of voters approximately 790.

To ensure transparency and preparedness, the Commission is also distributing reference material on past Vice-Presidential elections and refining logistical arrangements for the polling process.

Once all preparatory steps are finalised, the Election Commission will announce the election schedule. The new Vice President is expected to take office shortly after the polls are completed, ensuring continuity in the country's constitutional framework.