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Election to the Office of the Vice-President of India, 2022 (16th Vice-Presidential Election)

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:
  1. Elected members of Rajya Sabha.
  2. Nominated members of Rajya Sabha.
  3. 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:

 

Current Affairs

 

Insta Links:

Election Commission of India

 

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?

  1. Elected members of Rajya Sabha.
  2. Nominated members of Rajya Sabha.
  3. Elected members of Lok Sabha.
  4. 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.

Source: PIB