New Delhi, Sep.09,2025:The Vice President is elected by an Electoral College of MPs from both Houses, including nominated Rajya Sabha members-
96% Voting Till 3 pm Vice President Election: Why Turnout Skyrocketed
96% voting till 3pm vice president election saw an extraordinary surge of participation in record time, with close to full voting accomplished by early afternoon. According to PTI, official sources confirm that 96% of MPs had cast their ballots by 3 pm.
A Race Born from Health Crisis and Sudden Resignation
This early election was necessitated by the abrupt resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar, who stepped down in July due to health concerns, although his term was expected to run until August 2027.
Under Article 63(2) of the Constitution, an election must be held “as soon as possible” when a Vice President’s office becomes vacant.
The contenders:
- NDA’s candidate: C. P. Radhakrishnan, Governor of Maharashtra and former BJP lawmaker.
- Opposition’s nominee (INDIA bloc): Justice B. Sudershan Reddy, retired Supreme Court judge.
Who’s Voting—and Who’s Sitting Out
Akali Dal, BRS & BJD Pitfalls
Several parties, citing various reasons, abstained from voting:
- BRS: Cited farmer distress and urea shortages in Telangana. Despite respecting both candidates, the party refrained from voting.
- BJD and Shiromani Akali Dal also abstained—BJD due to political distancing, and Akali Dal due to severe flooding in Punjab.
AIMIM and YSRCP Alignments
- AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi confirmed support for the INDIA bloc’s candidate.
- YSRCP’s 11 MPs decided to back the NDA candidate, shifting the expected vote margins.
Election Mechanics- How India Chooses Its Vice President
- The Vice President is elected by an Electoral College of MPs from both Houses, including nominated Rajya Sabha members.
- Current strength: 781 members (6 Rajya Sabha seats and 1 Lok Sabha seat vacant), majority mark is 391.
- The process uses proportional representation via single transferable vote, conducted by secret ballot, and MPs must use the special pen provided.
What’s Next? Counting, Predictions, and Political Ripples
- Voting continues until 5 pm, with results expected after 6 pm or by around 7:45 pm.
- NDA holds a numerical advantage: 425 MPs versus 324 for the Opposition bloc.
- Political strategists foresee a clear win for Radhakrishnan, given the NDA’s strength and cross-voting from some Opposition MPs.
Yet, murmurs of “cross-voting” and ideological tensions within ranks may inject tensions into the outcome.
The 96% voting till 3pm vice president election stands as a remarkable display of parliamentary engagement. The stage is set for an outcome that will affirm NDA’s parliamentary clout—but the evening’s count may reveal nuanced cross-party loyalties or shifts. Stay tuned as the nation awaits the 15th Vice President of India.
