Vice Presidential Poll Set for 9 September After Dhankhar Quits

NEW DELHI: 

The Election Commission of India has announced that the Vice Presidential election will be held on 9 September 2025, following the sudden resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar on 21 July 2025, who stepped down citing health concerns.

The Commission also revealed that the official notification inviting candidates will be issued on 7 August, with the final date for filing nominations set at 21 August. Scrutiny of nominations will take place on 22 August, and candidates can withdraw by 25 August. If more than one candidate remains, the poll will be held on 9 September between 10 am and 5 pm, with counting completed the same day.

The process was triggered by Dhankhar’s resignation letter to President Droupadi Murmu under Article 67(a) of the Constitution, in which he stated, “To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as Vice President of India, effective immediately”. His term had begun in August 2022 and was due to end in 2027.

Under constitutional provisions, an election to fill a vacancy in the Vice President’s office must be held “as soon as possible” after the vacancy occurs, though the Constitution allows up to six months for the process to conclude under Article 68(2). In the interim, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson Harivansh Narayan Singh will perform the duties of Chairperson of the Upper House.

The electoral college for the Vice Presidential election comprises members of both Houses of Parliament, including nominated members, who cast their ballots via a secret ballot and under single transferable vote rules. State legislative assemblies have no role in this election, unlike in the Presidential election.

With 786 members in the electoral college, the ruling National Democratic Alliance holds a comfortable majority to influence the outcome, commanding support from 293 Lok Sabha members and 129 Rajya Sabha members, bolstered further by nominated MPs.

The formal announcement on 9 September marks the beginning of political deliberations and horse‑trading in search of suitable candidates. Observers note that the Opposition INDIA bloc has pledged to field a joint candidate, while the NDA is yet to finalise its nominee.

Jagdeep Dhankhar, a veteran politician and advocate noted for his forthright speech, abruptly resigned mid‑term, becoming the latest Vice President to do so. His departure has spurred fresh political speculation and debate over underlying reasons beyond health concerns.

The Commission, meanwhile, has affirmed it will proceed swiftly and transparently, aiming to ensure continuity in the office of the Vice President, who serves not just as the second-highest constitutional authority in the country, but also as the ex‑officio Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha.

According to the Election Commission’s announcement, the process will begin with the issuance of the official notification on 7 August. The last date for filing nominations is 21 August, and the scrutiny of nominations will take place on 22 August. Candidates will have until 25 August to withdraw their nominations. If more than one candidate remains in the fray, voting will be held on 9 September between 10 am and 5 pm, and counting of votes will take place on the same evening.