**Title:** Election Commission Begins Process for New Vice President of India
**Meta Description:** The Election Commission has initiated the election process for India’s next Vice President following Jagdeep Dhankhar’s resignation.
**URL Slug:** election-commission-vice-president-india
**Headline:** Election Commission Launches Election for Next Vice President of India
The Election Commission of India has officially commenced the election process for the next Vice President, following the unexpected resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar on July 21, the opening day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament. His resignation, attributed to health concerns, has created a vacancy in this crucial constitutional position.
In a government notification released on Friday, it was announced that Rajya Sabha Secretary General PC Mody will serve as the Returning Officer for the election. He will be supported by Garima Jain, Joint Secretary, and Vijay Kumar, Director in the Rajya Sabha Secretariat, who have been appointed as Assistant Returning Officers.
Currently, there is intense discussion among both the ruling BJP-led alliance and the Opposition regarding potential candidates for the Vice Presidency. The INDIA bloc is expected to participate in the election after reaching a consensus on a common candidate, believing that the numbers may not be overwhelmingly against them, despite the BJP-led NDA holding a majority.
Voting will be open to all members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, including nominated members. The total effective strength of both Houses is 782, meaning a candidate will need at least 392 votes to secure victory, assuming all eligible members cast their votes.
In the Lok Sabha, the BJP-led NDA has the backing of 293 members out of 542, while the INDIA bloc comprises 234 members. In the Rajya Sabha, the ruling alliance is supported by approximately 130 members in a House of 240, including nominated members, while the INDIA bloc has 79 members. Overall, the NDA enjoys the support of around 423 members across both Houses, compared to the INDIA bloc’s 313, with the remainder being non-aligned.
As the election process unfolds, the political landscape is set for a significant contest, with implications for the future of governance in India.
**FAQ Section:**
**Q: What triggered the election for the Vice President of India?**
A: The election was triggered by the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar, who stepped down due to health reasons, creating a vacancy in the position.