About the Office of the Vice President
- The Vice-President of India is the second-highest constitutional office in the country.
- The Constitution does not specify who performs the Vice President’s duties when the office falls vacant.
- Article 63: India shall have a Vice-President.
- Article 64: The Vice-President shall be the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
- Article 65: The Vice-President acts as President, during casual vacancy in the office of the President.
Election Procedure of the Vice President
● Nomination: Requires 20 proposers and 20 seconders with ₹15,000 deposit and certified copy of the entry showing his name in the current electoral roll.
● Voting: By an Electoral College, which consists of the members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha (both elected and nominated members)
○ Voting is with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote, and the voting at such an election shall be by secret ballot. (Article 66).
○ The value of every vote cast in the Vice-Presidential election has the same value i.e. 1.
● No Whip: provisions of the Anti-Defection Law are not applicable.
Eligibility for Vice-President (article 66)● Is a citizen of India; ● Has completed the age of 35 years, ● Is qualified for election as a member of the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) ● Must not hold any office of profit under the Government of India or the Government of any State or under any local or other authority. |
