Dhankhar out, EC starts process to elect new V-P

Within 48 hours of Jagdeep Dhankhar resigning as the Vice-President, citing health reasons, the Election Commission has started the preparations to conduct the elections to the post.

“The EC has started the preparations relating to the vice-presidential elections and once these are completed, the election schedule will be announced as soon as possible,” it said in a statement on Wednesday.

The poll body is mandated to conduct the election to the office of the Vice-President under Article 324.

The election is governed by the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952, and the rules made thereunder, namely the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Rules, 1974.

The poll exercise includes preparation of the Electoral College, which consists of elected as well as nominated members of the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha; finalisation of returning officer/assistant returning officer(s); and preparation and dissemination of background material on all previous vice-presidential elections.

The Constitution says in case the Vice-President dies in office or resigns or is removed, the poll to elect the next person to the office should be held “as soon as possible”.

The next Vice-President will get a full five-year term in office, according to constitutional provisions. Dhankhar had resigned on July 21, citing health grounds. The members of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, including those nominated, elect the Vice-President.

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