Vice-President Elections
Why it Matters?
The BJP-led NDA nominated Maharashtra Governor and former Tamil Nadu BJP chief C P Radhakrishnan as its Vice-Presidential candidate for the September 9 election. A former Lok Sabha MP and BJP Tamil Nadu unit chief (2004–07) credited with laying the party’s foundation in the south, he is known for incisive parliamentary interventions, grassroots work, and constitutional expertise.
What You Should Know?
The Election Commission of India (ECI) conducts the election of the Vice-President under Article 324 of the Constitution.
Articles 63 to 71 of the Constitution deal with the office of the Vice-President.
Election to the Office of Vice-President:
The Electoral College for Vice-President includes elected members of Lok Sabha and both elected and nominated members of Rajya Sabha.
State legislatures do not participate in the election of the Vice-President.
The election is held by proportional representation through the single transferable vote system and by secret ballot.
He/she has a five-year term but continues until a successor assumes office.
He/she is eligible for re-election.
The Rajya Sabha Secretary General functions as the Returning Officer for the election.
The Vice-President holds the second highest constitutional office in India after the President.
He/she is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
He/she presides over the sessions of the Rajya Sabha.
The Vice-President decides on disqualification of Rajya Sabha members due to defection under the Tenth Schedule.
Removal:
He/she can be removed by a resolution of the Rajya Sabha passed by an effective majority and agreed to by a simple majority in the Lok Sabha.
The Constitution does not specify any grounds for removal of the Vice-President.