Vice Presidential Election 2025: Process, Voting, and Counting Explained

Vice Presidential Election 2025: Process, Voting, and Counting Explained

India is set to elect its new Vice President on September 11, 2025, following the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar in July 2025. The election, necessitated by the vacancy in the second-highest constitutional office, has drawn significant attention as the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the INDIA bloc field their candidates. C.P. Radhakrishnan, a Tamil Nadu native and the current Maharashtra Governor, represents the NDA, while former Supreme Court Justice B. Sudarshan Reddy is the INDIA bloc’s nominee. This article provides a detailed overview of the Vice Presidential election process, who is eligible to vote, how the counting is conducted, and the significance of this constitutional role.

The Vice Presidential Election Process

The Vice Presidential election in India is conducted under a constitutionally mandated framework, as outlined in Article 66 of the Constitution. Unlike the Presidential election, which includes elected members of state legislative assemblies, the Vice Presidential election is an indirect process involving only Members of Parliament (MPs) from both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. This electoral college comprises both elected and nominated MPs, ensuring a broad representation of parliamentary voices. The election is overseen by the Election Commission of India (ECI) and follows the system of proportional representation through a single transferable vote (STV), with voting conducted via secret ballot.

To contest the election, a candidate must be a citizen of India, at least 35 years old, eligible for election to the Rajya Sabha, and not hold any office of profit. The nomination process requires at least 20 MPs as proposers and 20 MPs as seconders, with a security deposit of Rs. 15,000. The ECI appoints a Returning Officer, typically the Secretary-General of either the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha, to manage the process, including scrutiny of nominations, polling, and result declaration. For the 2025 election, P.C. Mody, the Rajya Sabha Secretary-General, has been appointed as the Returning Officer.

Who Can Vote in the Election?

The electoral college for the Vice Presidential election consists of all MPs from the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, including nominated members. This is a key distinction from the Presidential election, where nominated MPs are excluded from voting. As of September 2025, the Lok Sabha has 543 seats, with one vacancy, and the Rajya Sabha has 245 seats, with five vacancies, resulting in a total electoral college of 782 MPs. Each MP’s vote carries equal weight, valued at one vote, unlike the Presidential election, where votes are weighted based on population representation.

The NDA, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), holds a significant advantage with 422 MPs, including 293 in the Lok Sabha and 129 in the Rajya Sabha, of which the BJP alone accounts for 354 MPs (249 in Lok Sabha and 105 in Rajya Sabha). The opposition INDIA bloc, with 324 MPs, faces an uphill battle, though it has appealed for conscience-based voting, framing the election as an ideological contest. Notably, parties like the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) have chosen to abstain, reducing the effective electorate to 770 MPs, with a majority mark of 386 votes required to win.

How Voting and Counting Are Conducted

The Vice Presidential election will take place on September 11, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Room No. F-101, Vasudha, Parliament House, as announced by Returning Officer P.C. Mody. Voting is conducted through a secret ballot, ensuring MPs can vote freely without party whips, a rule that underscores the autonomy of the process. Each MP marks their preference on a ballot paper using a special pen provided by the ECI, with the first preference being mandatory. Failure to use the designated pen or incorrect marking can invalidate the vote, as seen in past elections where 11 votes were invalid in 2017 and 15 in 2022.

The counting of votes begins at 6 p.m. on the same day, under the supervision of the Returning Officer and ECI observers. The process follows the single transferable vote system, where MPs rank candidates in order of preference. To win, a candidate must secure a majority quota, calculated as half of the total valid votes plus one (in this case, 386 votes out of 770). The counting involves the following steps:

Step-by-Step Vote Counting Process

1. First Preference Count: The number of first preference votes for each candidate is tallied. If a candidate secures the majority quota (386 votes), they are declared elected.

2. Elimination and Transfer: If no candidate achieves the quota, the candidate with the fewest first preference votes is eliminated. Their votes are redistributed to the remaining candidates based on the second preferences marked on the ballots. Ballots without a valid second preference are deemed exhausted and excluded from further counts.

3. Subsequent Rounds: The process continues with further eliminations and vote transfers based on the next available preferences until a candidate reaches the quota or only one candidate remains. If a tie occurs, second preferences are considered to break it.

4. Result Declaration: Once a candidate secures the quota, the Returning Officer declares the result, seals the valid and rejected ballots, and forwards a certified return to the ECI and the Ministry of Law and Justice. The elected Vice President’s name is published in the Official Gazette.

Role and Responsibilities of the Vice President

The Vice President of India holds the second-highest constitutional office, ranking below the President and above the Prime Minister in the order of precedence. The elected Vice President serves as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, presiding over its sessions and maintaining parliamentary decorum. They have the authority to adjourn or suspend Rajya Sabha proceedings, ensuring the smooth functioning of the upper house.

In addition to legislative duties, the Vice President acts as a backup to the President. If the President’s office becomes vacant due to resignation, removal, or death, the Vice President assumes the role until a new President is elected. Similarly, if the President is unable to perform their duties due to illness or other reasons, the Vice President steps in as Acting President. The Vice President also undertakes foreign trips to strengthen India’s diplomatic relations, representing the nation on global platforms.

Significance of the 2025 Election

The 2025 Vice Presidential election is a significant event, not only due to the unexpected vacancy caused by Jagdeep Dhankhar’s resignation but also because of its political implications. The NDA’s numerical strength, bolstered by support from parties like the YSR Congress, gives its candidate, C.P. Radhakrishnan, a clear edge. However, the INDIA bloc’s candidate, B. Sudarshan Reddy, has framed the election as an ideological battle, urging MPs to vote based on conscience rather than party lines. This appeal, combined with the absence of party whips, introduces an element of unpredictability, though the NDA’s 422 MPs make Radhakrishnan the frontrunner.

The election also tests the unity of both alliances. The NDA conducted a two-day workshop for its MPs to ensure error-free voting, while the INDIA bloc held mock polls to minimize invalid ballots. The abstention of parties like BJD, BRS, and SAD reflects regional priorities, such as the ongoing flood crisis in Punjab, adding another layer of complexity to the electoral dynamics.

Historical Context and Past Elections

The 2025 election is notable as the first early Vice Presidential election since 1987, prompted by Dhankhar’s resignation due to health concerns. Historically, Vice Presidential elections have seen significant margins, with Jagdeep Dhankhar securing a 346-vote lead in 2022, one of the largest in recent decades. Past elections, such as Venkaiah Naidu’s 272-vote victory in 2017 and Hamid Ansari’s wins in 2007 and 2012, reflect the importance of coalition strength in securing the post.

The Vice President’s term lasts five years, but they can continue in office until a successor is elected. The role’s significance extends beyond ceremonial duties, as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha plays a critical role in shaping legislative debates and maintaining parliamentary discipline. The elected Vice President can be removed through a resolution passed by a majority in the Rajya Sabha and agreed upon by the Lok Sabha, ensuring accountability to the parliamentary system.