Election to the Office of the Vice-President of India
The Election Commission of India, under Article 324, is responsible for conducting elections for the office of the Vice-President of India. This process is governed by the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952.
Election Process
- The election is conducted under the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Rules, 1974.
- Preparations include:
- Formation of the Electoral College, which includes elected and nominated members of both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha.
- Finalization of the Returning Officer and Assistant Returning Officers.
- Preparation and dissemination of background material on previous Vice-Presidential elections.
Electoral College and Voting
- The Electoral College, consisting of members from both houses of Parliament, votes without being bound by party whips.
Nomination Process
- Nomination papers must be supported by at least 20 proposers and 20 seconders.
- The Security Deposit required is ₹15,000.
- By convention, the Secretary General of either the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha is designated as the Returning Officer, by rotation.
- Two senior officers from the Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha Secretariat are appointed as Assistant Returning Officers.