Vice-President Election on September 9; ECI announces schedule

New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday announced the schedule for the 17th Vice-Presidential Election on September 9.

The schedule released by the ECI is:

1) The notification for the election of the vice-president is to be issued on August 7.

2) Last day of nominations: August 21

3) Scrutiny of nominations: August 22

4) Withdrawal of candidates: August 25

5) Polling date, if required: September 9

6) Counting date, if polls carried out: September 9

The resignation of former Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar has necessitated the election.

Dhankhar served as Vice-President from August 11, 2022, but resigned on July 21, more than two years before the scheduled end of his tenure. The Ministry of Home Affairs officially notified this vacancy through a notification on July 22.

In his resignation letter to President Droupadi Murmu, Dhankhar cited personal health concerns and the need to prioritise healthcare and abide by medical advice. The election is mandated to be held as soon as possible after the occurrence of the vacancy, as per sub-sections (1) and (4) of Section 4 of the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952.

Electoral College and Voting Mechanism

As per Article 66 of the Constitution, the Vice-President is elected by an Electoral College comprising members of both Houses of Parliament through a system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote. For the 2025 election, the Electoral College currently consists of 782 members:

233 elected members of the Rajya Sabha (with 5 vacant seats)

12 nominated members of the Rajya Sabha

543 elected members of the Lok Sabha (with 1 vacant seat)

The total strength of the Electoral College is 788 members. Each Member of Parliament's vote carries a value of one.

Voting will be conducted via secret ballot, and electors must mark their preferences against candidates’ names using a special pen provided by the Commission at the polling station. Marking the first preference is compulsory for a valid ballot, while other preferences are optional. Any deviation from using the prescribed pen will lead to vote invalidation.

The poll, if required, will take place in Room No. F-101, Vasudha, First Floor, Parliament House, New Delhi.

Nomination Process

Nomination papers (in prescribed Form 3) must be delivered to the Returning Officer in New Delhi between 11 am and 3 pm on specified dates (excluding public holidays).