Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar Resigns

Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar Resigns: Election Commission Begins Process for New VP

In a surprising turn of events, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar has officially stepped down from his position, citing health reasons. The Ministry of Home Affairs confirmed his resignation on Monday evening, July 21, 2025. His departure comes nearly two years before the end of his term, which was set to conclude in August 2027.

🔹 Why Did Jagdeep Dhankhar Resign?

According to official sources, Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned due to health concerns. The resignation is effective immediately, creating a rare mid-term vacancy in the office of the Vice President of India.

While Dhankhar is not the first to leave the post mid-term—former Vice-Presidents V.V. Giri and R. Venkataraman also resigned early, both to run for President—this case stands out as it coincides with the beginning of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, sparking speculation across political circles. However, no official statement has hinted at any political motive behind the move.

🔹 What Happens Next? ECI Begins VP Election Process

Following the resignation, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has promptly begun the process to elect a new Vice-President, as per the constitutional mandate under Article 324. Although there’s no rigid timeline for elections in case of a resignation, the Constitution directs the ECI to conduct the election “as soon as possible.”

The ECI is currently:

Constituting the Electoral College, which includes members of both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
Appointing Returning Officers
Finalizing key logistics for the polling process

🔹 Expected Election Timeline

Sources within the Election Commission suggest that the official election schedule will likely be announced within the next 48 to 72 hours. Once the notification is issued, the entire election process—from nominations to polling and result declaration—must be completed within 32 days.

It is expected that a new Vice-President will be elected and take office by the end of August 2025.

🔹 How Is the Vice-President Elected?

Here’s a quick look at the election process:

Electoral College: All elected and nominated members of both Houses of Parliament are eligible to vote.
Voting Method: Proportional representation via single transferable vote (STV) using a secret ballot system.
Nomination Requirements: Each candidate must be proposed by 20 MPs, seconded by another 20 MPs, and submit a security deposit of ₹15,000.

🔹 Who Handles Rajya Sabha Now?

Until the new Vice-President is elected and assumes office, the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha will take over the responsibilities of presiding over the Upper House proceedings.