VICE-PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

Why in news? :  The 16^th  Vice –Presidential Election is scheduled for August 6. The ruling govt. has announced West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankar while opposition named former Governor Margaret Alva for the post.

What the Constitution says? : Article 63 - “there shall be a Vice-President of India”.

Article 64- the Vice-President “shall be ex officio Chairman of the Council of the States”.

Article 65 - “in the event of the occurrence of any vacancy in the office of the President by reason of his death, resignation or removal, or otherwise, the Vice-President shall act as President until the date on which a new President…enters upon his office.

How is he elected? : Article 66 - Vice-President “shall be elected by the members of an electoral college consisting of the members of both Houses of Parliament in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote and the voting at such election shall be by secret ballot.

Is he a Member of Parliament? : Under the Constitution, the Vice-President “shall not be a member of either House of Parliament or of a House of the Legislature of any State”. If a member of any of these Houses is elected to the post, “he shall be deemed to have vacated his seat in that House on the date on which he enters upon his office as Vice-President”.

Eligibility and term of office: Article 66(3) - “No person shall be eligible for election as Vice-President unless he — (a) is a citizen of India; (b) has completed the age of thirty-five years; and (c) is qualified for election as a member of the Council of States”.

Article 66(4)- “A person shall not be eligible for election as Vice-President if he holds any office of profit under the Government of India or of any State or under any local or other authority.

Article 67 - Vice-President shall hold office for a term of five years from the date on which he enters upon his office”.

How the election disputes dealt? : Article 71- “all doubts and disputes arising out of or in connection with the election of a President or Vice-President shall be inquired into and decided by the Supreme Court whose decision shall be final”. Also, “Parliament may by law regulate any matter relating to or connected with the election of a President or Vice-President”.