Gs Paper-2
Syllabus: Election to the office of President and Vice-President, separation of powers.
Context:
- The term of office of Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, Vice-President of India, is ending on 10 August 2022.
- As per Article 68 of the Constitution of India, an election to fill the vacancy caused by the expiration of the term of office of the outgoing Vice-President is required to be completed before the expiration of the term.
Article highlights:
- Article 324 of the Constitution read with the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952 and the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Rules, 1974, vests the superintendence, direction and control of the conduct of election to the office of the Vice-President of India in the Election Commission of India.
- The notification for election shall be issued on or after the sixtieth day before the expiration of the term of office of the outgoing Vice-President.
- As per Article 66 of the Constitution of India, the Vice-President is elected by the members of the Electoral College.
- Electoral College consists of:
- Elected members of Rajya Sabha.
- Nominated members of Rajya Sabha.
- Elected members of Lok Sabha.
- Since all the electors are members of both Houses of Parliament, the value of the vote of each Member of Parliament would be the same i.e.1 (one).
- The Election Commission, in consultation with the Central Government, appoints the Secretary-General of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, by rotation, as the Returning Officer.
- Accordingly, the Secretary-General, Lok Sabha will be appointed as the Returning Officer for the present election to the Office of the Vice-President of India.
- The Commission has also decided to appoint Assistant Returning Officers in Parliament House (Lok Sabha) to assist Returning Officers.
- As per Rule 8 of the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Rules, 1974, polls for the election will be taken in the Parliament House.
Manner of Election:
Insta Links:
Practice Questions:
Q. The election to the office of Vice-President is held in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of single transferable vote. Discuss
Q. Which of the following is/are part of the electoral college for the election of Vice-President?
- Elected members of Rajya Sabha.
- Nominated members of Rajya Sabha.
- Elected members of Lok Sabha.
- Elected members of state legislatures
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
- 1, 2 and 3 only
- 1, 3 and 4 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 3 and 4 only
Ans: (a)
Justification:
- As per Article 66 of the Constitution of India, the Vice-President is elected by the members of the Electoral College.
- Electoral College consists of:
- Elected members of Rajya Sabha.
- Nominated members of Rajya Sabha.
- Elected members of Lok Sabha.