Election Commission’s Announcement
The Election Commission of India will announce the schedule for the Vice Presidential election within the next 48 to 72 hours, according to sources.
Resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar
The resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar was formally accepted by President Droupadi Murmu, vacating the post of Vice President nearly two years before the scheduled end of his term.
Timing of the Election
According to Article 68(2) of the Constitution of India, there is no fixed timeline for the Vice Presidential election in case of a resignation. The election must be conducted “as soon as possible.”
Preparations for the Election
Preparations for the election began immediately after the Home Ministry communicated the resignation. A formal notification is expected in the next two to three days.
Election Process
Once the notification is issued, the Election Commission will complete the process within 32 days, including nominations, scrutiny, withdrawals, polling, and counting.
Timeline for New Vice President
The next Vice President of India is expected to be elected and sworn in by the end of August 2025. Nomination papers must be submitted within 14 days of the notification.
Reason for Resignation
Mr Dhankhar’s resignation, attributed to health reasons, follows a week of political turbulence.
Political Turbulence
A chain of events leading to the resignation began with a controversial decision taken by Mr Dhankhar in his capacity as Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
Government Response
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was briefed, and a high-level meeting was held involving senior ministers. Mr Dhankhar’s acceptance of the opposition-led motion led to his resignation.
Conclusion
In a swift response to the government’s plan, Mr Dhankhar submitted his resignation following the political developments.
