Vice-President Election Process

Why In News:

This election has been triggered due to the sudden resignation of Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, leading to a mid-term vacancy in the office. The Election Commission of India has officially started the Vice-Presidential election process. It appointed P.C. Mody, Secretary-General of the Rajya Sabha, as the Returning Officer.

UPSC relevance: GS II

UPSC CSE in prelims as well as in mains examination has focused on Role of Vice-President and election process of Vice-President. A case in point is a following PYQ.

Prelims PYQ 2013

Consider the following statements
The Chairmen and the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha are not the members of that House.
While the nominated members of the two Houses of the Parliament have no voting right in the presidential election, they have the right to vote in the election of the Vice President.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 only
B) 2 only
C) Both 1 and 2
D) Neither 1 nor 2

UPSC Mains PYQ 2022:

Discuss the role of the Vice-President of India as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

Election Process of Vice President:

• Article 66 of the Indian Constitution define election process of vice-president.
• The Vice-President is elected by an Electoral College consisting of members of both Houses of Parliament by single transferable vote (including nominated members in case of President only elected candidate Participate).
• A nomination must be supported by at least 20 proposers and 20 seconders.
• Nomination papers must be submitted to the Returning Officer between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on designated days.

Qualification to become Vice-President under Article 66

• Must be a citizen of India
• Has completed the age of thirty-five years
• Qualified for election as a member of the Council of States
• A person shall not be eligible for election as Vice-President if he
  holds any office of profit under the Government of India or the Government of
  any State or under any local or other authority subject to the control of any of
  the said Governments.

Oath or affirmation by the Vice-President:

Article 69: Every Vice-President shall, before entering upon his office, make and subscribe before the of President, or some person appointed in that behalf by him, an oath or affirmation in the following form.

Practice Question:

Consider the following statements

1. Jagdeep Dhankhar only the third Vice-President in India’s history to resign before completing his term.
2. In Vice-President election elected members of legislative assembly take part.
3. The Vice-President Candidate must qualified for election as a member of the Lok Sabha.

How many of the above statements are incorrect?

a) Only one

b) Only two

c) All Three

d) None of the above

All About Vice-President through Mind Map:

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