The upcoming Vice Presidential election, with voting scheduled for September 9, has become a focal point of national interest. This election follows the resignation of the previous Vice President, Jagdeep Dhankhar, due to health issues. The NDA and the India bloc are actively working to gain support for their respective candidates, making for an election where the stakes are high.
This election marks the 17th Vice Presidential election, conducted by an electoral college. The electoral college is composed of members from both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
**The Candidates:**
Leading the race are CP Radhakrishnan, a BJP leader from Tamil Nadu, and B. Sudarshan Reddy, a former Supreme Court judge from Andhra Pradesh. The current Governor of Maharashtra, Radhakrishnan, is considered a trusted figure within the BJP, playing a role in the party’s expansion in South India. B. Sudarshan Reddy’s reputation for integrity in the judiciary is well-regarded across different political affiliations.
**The Electoral College and Voting Process:**
The Vice President is elected by an electoral college comprised of members from both houses of Parliament, including nominated members. State assemblies do not take part in the voting. In 2025, the electoral college will consist of 782 MPs in both houses, including 543 in the Lok Sabha, 233 elected members in the Rajya Sabha, and 12 nominated members. Each MP’s vote has equal value.
**Voting Procedure:**
The election is conducted using proportional representation with a single transferable vote (STV), following the guidelines of Article 66 of the Constitution. Voters cast secret ballots, ranking candidates by preference (1, 2, 3, etc.). Victory requires more than half the valid votes. If no candidate reaches this threshold, the candidate with the lowest votes is eliminated, and their votes are transferred based on the next preferences. This continues until a candidate secures a majority.
**Support and Strategic Alliances:**
The NDA, led by the BJP, holds a strong position in the Lok Sabha and has the support of several regional parties, which increases the probability of success for CP Radhakrishnan. In contrast, the India bloc, which includes several opposition parties, has come together to support B. Sudarshan Reddy. The level of support reflects the current political climate.
**Party Strategies:**
Prior to the election, the BJP held a workshop for its MPs. The NDA is encouraging its MPs to be careful. The opposition has been holding meetings to maintain unity.
**The Balance of Power:**
The NDA seems to have an advantage because it has a majority in the Lok Sabha. With a majority of 392 votes needed to win, if there is no cross-voting, the NDA is likely to win.
This election is of huge importance to Indian politics.