With the tenure of Vice-President Mohammad Hamid Ansari coming to an end on August 10, if necessary, election for the post will be conducted on August 5.
Announcing the schedule on Thursday, the Election Commission said a notification to this effect would be issued on July 4. Contestants can file nominations till July 18, while the last date for the withdrawal of candidatures is July 21. The counting will be done on August 5.
“An election to fill the vacancy to be caused by the expiration of the term of office of the outgoing Vice-President needs to be completed before the expiration of the term of the present incumbent. The law provides that the notification for election may be issued on, or as soon as conveniently may be after, the 60th day before the expiry of term of the office of the outgoing Vice-President,” said Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi.
The Vice-President is elected by the Electoral College consisting of members of both the Houses of Parliament in accordance with the system of proportional representation, by means of single transferable vote. The nominated members of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha are also eligible to participate in the election.
The Electoral College currently consists of 233 Rajya Sabha and 543 Lok Sabha members, besides two nominated members.
Dr. Zaidi said the Commission, in consultation with the Central government, has decided to appoint Secretary General to Rajya Sabha as Returning Officer for the poll. Assistant Returning Officers from among Rajya Sabha Secretariat officials would be appointed to assist the Returning Officer.
The nomination paper of a candidate has to be subscribed by at least 20 electors as proposers and at least another 20 electors as seconders. An elector can subscribe to only one nomination paper as either a proposer or seconder.
As President Pranab Mukherjee’s term is also to end on July 24, the presidential election will be held on July 17.
