On the first day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned with immediate effect due to medical reasons, also stepping down as Rajya Sabha Chairman.

• He is only the third Vice-President in Indian history to resign before completing his term.
• Before Dhankhar, only V.V. Giri and R. Venkataraman had resigned mid-term as Vice-President. Both stepped down to contest presidential elections.

Vice-President of India

• He holds the second-highest constitutional office in India.
• He is ranked next to the President in the order of precedence.
• His office is modelled on that of the American Vice-President.

Election Process for Vice-President

• Electoral College: Members of both Houses of Parliament (elected + nominated).
• Voting System: Proportional representation by single transferable vote; secret ballot.

• Each MP ranks candidates in order of preference.
• All votes carry equal value.
• Quota for Election:
  • To win, a candidate must secure a minimum quota:
    (Total valid votes ÷ 2) + 1 (fractions ignored).
  • If no candidate meets the quota in the first round:
    • The candidate with the least first-preference votes is eliminated.
    • Their votes are transferred to others based on second preferences.
    • This continues until a candidate crosses the quota.

Eligibility Criteria for Vice-Presidential Candidates

• Must be a citizen of India.
• Must be at least 35 years old.
• Must be qualified for election to the Rajya Sabha.
• Must be registered as an elector in any parliamentary constituency.
• Must not hold any office of profit under the central or state government.
• Exceptions:  President or Vice-President, Governors, Union or State Ministers

Conditions of Office

• Must not be a member of Parliament or State Legislature at the time of assuming office.
• Must not hold any office of profit.

Term and Removal

• Term: 5 years (can continue till successor assumes office).
• Resignation: Addressed to the President.
• Removal:
• • No formal impeachment.
  • By a resolution passed by: Rajya Sabha (Effective majority) and Lok Sabha (Simple majority).
  • Resolution must originate in Rajya Sabha with 14 days’ notice.
  • No grounds for removal mentioned in the Constitution.
• Eligible for re-election (no term limit).

Vacancy

• The Constitution does not provide for an acting Vice-President. However, since the Vice-President is also the ex officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, the Deputy Chairman will preside over the House in his absence.
• Occurs due to: Completion of term, Resignation, Removal, Death, Disqualification or void election.
• Election Timelines:
• • If term expires: Election held before expiration.
  • If sudden vacancy: Election held as soon as possible.
  • New VP serves a full 5-year term.

When Will the Election Be Held?

• The Election Commission will decide and announce the schedule.
• The poll was conducted under the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952.
• As per parliamentary convention, the Secretary General of either House is appointed as the Returning Officer, in rotation.

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