India Prepares for Vice Presidential Election
The Election Commission of India is gearing up to announce the schedule for the Vice Presidential election within the next 48 to 72 hours, as per sources. This development comes in the wake of the unexpected resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar, the former Vice President.
Resignation Triggers the Election Process
Jagdeep Dhankhar’s resignation, officially accepted by President Droupadi Murmu, has left the Vice Presidential position vacant nearly two years before the end of Mr. Dhankhar’s term. The Constitution of India, under Article 68(2), does not specify a fixed timeline for conducting the Vice Presidential election in case of a resignation, but it mandates that the election should be held “as soon as possible.”
Preparations Underway for Elections
Preparations for the election began promptly after the Home Ministry communicated the resignation to the Election Commission. A formal notification signaling the need for the election is expected to be released in the next couple of days.
Timeline for the Election Process
As per the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952, once the notification is issued, the Election Commission has to complete the entire process, including nominations, scrutiny, withdrawals, polling, and counting, within a maximum of 32 days. Consequently, the new Vice President is anticipated to be elected and sworn in by the end of August 2025.
Nomination Process
Nomination papers must be submitted within 14 days of the official notification for the election.
Reason Behind Resignation
Mr. Dhankhar’s resignation, attributed to health reasons, came after a period of political turmoil. It all started with a controversial decision made by Mr. Dhankhar in his role as Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
Political Turbulence
Following a motion from opposition MPs seeking the removal of Justice Yashwant Varma, a High Court judge embroiled in a corruption investigation, Mr. Dhankhar’s acceptance of the motion led to a series of events culminating in his resignation.
Government Response
After internal government motions regarding Justice Varma were being prepared, Mr. Dhankhar’s actions seemed to preempt their plans. This led to a swift reaction from government officials, resulting in his resignation.
📌 Also Read:
- Election Commission to Announce Vice Presidential Election Schedule
- Youths in Trouble for Dangerous Stunts in Thar SUV at 3B2 Market
- Retired Warrant Officer’s Gold Kara Stolen in Distraction Theft Incident