How the Vice President of India is elected

The Vice President is elected in a different way from the President. Under Article 66 the electoral college consists of all members of both Houses of Parliament, including nominated members. State assemblies take no part. That is the main difference between the two elections.

The election is held by proportional representation through the single transferable vote and by secret ballot. Every MP’s vote has the same value. The Election Commission of India conducts the poll.

Qualifications and term

A candidate must be a citizen of India, at least 35 years old and qualified for election to the Rajya Sabha. The holder cannot remain a member of Parliament or a state legislature and must vacate that seat on election. The term is five years (Article 67).

Under Article 64 the Vice President is the ex officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. When the President’s office is vacant or the President is absent, the Vice President discharges the President’s functions (Article 65). During that period the Vice President does not act as Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

Removal from office

To remove the Vice President, the Rajya Sabha must pass a resolution by a majority of all its then members, and the Lok Sabha must agree to it. At least 14 days’ notice is required before such a resolution is moved. This process is different from the impeachment of the President.

Election disputes go to the Supreme Court (Article 71). Uttar Pradesh’s 80 Lok Sabha members and 31 Rajya Sabha members are part of this electoral college, the largest group from any one state. The state’s 403 MLAs have no role in the vice-presidential election.

Key points

• The Vice President is elected in a different way from the President.
• A candidate must be a citizen of India, at least 35 years old and qualified for election to the Rajya Sabha.
• To remove the Vice President, the Rajya Sabha must pass a resolution by a majority of all its then members, and the Lok Sabha must agree to

Official 2022 figures for context

For context, the 2022 assembly election had 15,12,46,168 electors and 9,21,62,897 votes polled, with statewide turnout of 60.94 percent. The BJP won 255 seats on 41.29 percent and the Samajwadi Party 111 seats on 32.06 percent. Apna Dal (S) won 12, the RLD 8, the SBSP and NISHAD Party 6 each, Congress and the Jansatta Dal Loktantrik 2 each, and the BSP 1.

The 2017 baseline

The 2017 assembly election had 14,16,63,646 electors and turnout of 61.22 percent. The BJP won 312 seats on 39.67 percent. The Samajwadi Party won 47, the BSP 19, Apna Dal (S) 9, Congress 7 and the SBSP 4. Three independents also won. Between 2017 and 2022, 125 seats changed parties.

The 2024 Lok Sabha context

In the 2024 Lok Sabha election, Uttar Pradesh’s 80 seats were won as follows: Samajwadi Party 37, BJP 33, Congress 6, RLD 2, Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) 1 and Apna Dal (S) 1. Lok Sabha and assembly elections turn on different issues and alliances, so the two results should not be added together to reach a conclusion.

Also read:

• Mathura district assembly results 2022
• Ghazipur district assembly results 2022
• Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha 2024 result

Source: Election Commission of India. Figures are from official statistical reports.

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