ECI Begins Formal Process for Electing New Vice President

New Delhi:

After Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned as vice president, the Election Commission of India (ECI) formally began the procedural preparations for the next vice presidential elections. By confirming Dhankhar's resignation through Gazette Notification S.O. 3354(E) dated July 22, 2025, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) cleared the path for the constitutional election of a new vice president.

The ECI referenced its constitutional obligation under Article 324 to supervise and carry out the election of the Vice President of India in a press release on Wednesday. The Presidential and Vice Presidential Elections Act of 1952 and the Presidential and Vice Presidential Elections Rules of 1974 regulate the election process.

According to the Commission, preparations have already begun for the 2025 vice presidential elections. "The announcement of the Election Schedule to the office of the Vice President of India will follow as soon as possible upon completion of the preparatory activities," the statement said.

Several important tasks are part of the pre-election preparations. First, the ECI is getting ready for the Electoral College, which consists of elected Lok Sabha members as well as nominated and elected Rajya Sabha members. Second, the Returning Officer and Assistant Returning Officers are currently being finalized. Thirdly, background information on all past vice presidential elections is being prepared and distributed by the Commission.

These actions are necessary to guarantee that the election process complies with the law and upholds procedural integrity and transparency. 

As the nation's second-highest constitutional office, the vice president is also responsible for serving as the Rajya Sabha's ex-officio chairman. In order to preserve constitutional continuity, quick institutional action was taken in response to Jagdeep Dhankhar's abrupt midterm resignation.

Political analysts are keeping a close eye on the situation even though the ECI's note does not officially reveal the reasons behind Dhankhar's resignation. This is because the election of the new vice president could have wider ramifications before the general elections in 2026. 

The Commission moved quickly to begin preparations, indicating that the poll process will be announced soon, even though the schedule has not yet been formally released. After all necessary preparations are finished, the announcement is anticipated.

As part of the official communication distributed from Nirvachan Sadan, Ashoka Road, New Delhi, the press release was signed by P. Pawan, Deputy Director at the Election Commission of India. 

Political parties are expected to start talking about possible candidates in the next few days, and the vice presidential election is predicted to be hotly contested.