New Delhi: Congress-led opposition parties candidate Margaret Alva filed her nomination papers on the last date of nomination for the Vice President election, July 19. Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, CPM’s Sitaram Yechury and CPI’s D Raja were also present. Her nomination came a day after the BJP-led NDA’s candidate Jagdeep Dhankhar submitted his nomination papers on Monday.
The poll for the post to elect a new Vice President is scheduled to be held on August 6. Considering the topic to be important for the citizens of India, we decided to explain all the details such as who can become a Vice President and how does India elect a new Vice President?
Before we dive into the detail, we must tell you that the current Vice President of India is Muppavarapu Venkaiah Naidu. He will be retiring from his post on August 10.
Eligibility to get elected as the Vice president of India
The person who wants to get elected as the Vice President should be 35 years old. He should also have to be qualified as a Rajya Sabha member and he cannot also hold any office of profit under the Government of India or any state or under any local government bodies.
Notably, there is no fixed retirement age for the post so he/she can be reelected indefinitely. He plays the role of President in his absence due to death, resignation, or impeachment. A Vice President gets a 1.25 lakh salary monthly. However, the VP is not offered any government residence in the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Those who want to fight the election need 20 Mps as proposers and another 20 MPs as seconders to file the nomination. The candidates also have to submit a security deposit of Rs 15,000.
How is the Vice President elected in India?
Article 63-71 of the Indian Constitution tells about the election, qualification and removal of the Vice President. In the election, members of both elected and nominated members of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha take part. Members are free to vote for any candidate as parties cannot issue any whip.
Members cast their votes through the ballot paper system. They are given a specific pen for ticking their choice and they are not allowed to use any other pen.
