EC Begins Process For Vice-Presidential Election After Jagdeep Dhankhar’s Resignation

The Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday (23 July) announced that it has begun preparations to elect a new Vice-President, just two days after Jagdeep Dhankhar’s unexpected resignation from the post, the Indian Express reported.

In a statement, the EC confirmed that the Ministry of Home Affairs had notified Dhankhar’s resignation on Tuesday (22 July).

“The Election Commission of India, under Article 324, is mandated to conduct the election to the office of the Vice President of India... Accordingly, the Election Commission of India has already started the preparations relating to the Vice-Presidential Elections, 2025,” it said.

The EC noted that groundwork has begun, including preparing the electoral college, finalising election officers, and compiling background material on previous Vice-Presidential elections.

Once preparations are complete, the poll schedule will be announced.

Also Read: Jagdeep Dhankhar Resigns As Vice President Citing Health Reasons; Speculation Abounds Over Successor

The Vice-President is elected by an electoral college comprising both elected and nominated members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

Voting is held by secret ballot in Parliament using proportional representation and a single transferable vote system.

Under election rules, once the schedule is notified, the process must conclude within 30–32 days.

This includes 14 days for nominations, a day for scrutiny, two days for withdrawal, and a minimum 15-day gap before polling.

Dhankhar, a former West Bengal governor and lawyer, was elected Vice-President in 2022.

His term was to end in August 2027. He submitted his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu on Monday evening, citing health reasons, hours after presiding over Rajya Sabha proceedings.

After Dhankhar's resignation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X: “Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar Ji has got many opportunities to serve our country in various capacities, including as the Vice President of India. Wishing him good health.”

Also Read: 'Something Very Serious Happened': Congress Hints At Deeper Reasons Behind Jagdeep Dhankhar’s Sudden Resignation