EC Begins Process For Vice President Election After Dhankhar's Surprise Resgination

Following Jagdeep Dhankhar's resignation, the Election Commission of India has initiated preparations for the 2025 Vice-Presidential election, as mandated by Article 324.

EC Begins Process For Vice President Election After Dhankhar's Surprise Resgination

Source : PTI

The Election Commission of India has begun the process for the election of a new Vice President for the country after Jagdeep Dhankhar quit the office on Monday citing health reasons. 

In a press note issued on Wednesday, the poll panel said it is mandated to conduct the election to the office of the Vice President of India, under Article 324 after the Ministry of Home Affairs notified Dhankhar's resignation. 

The election for the Vice President of India is governed by The Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952, it added. 

"Accordingly, the Election Commission of India has already started the preparation relating to the Vice-Presidential Elections, 2025," the poll panel said. It further said that the annoucement for the election schedule will be made "as soon as possible".

The Election Commission of India initiates the process for electing the next Vice President following the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar. pic.twitter.com/aG2hli8eME

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 23, 2025

The Election Commission listed the major pre-announcement activities which have already started including preparation of Electoral College which consists of elected as well as nominated members of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha.

Returning Officer/Assistant Returning Officer(s) have been finalised background material on all the previous Vice-Presidential elections have been prepared and disseminated, the ECI said. 

A veteran lawyer and a towering figure of the Jat community, Jagdeep Dhankhar was elected the Vice President of India in August 2022. 

While in his resignation letter submitted to President Droupadi Murmu, Dhankhar cited health reasons for stepping down, the Opposition has cast doubt, saying there's far more to it than meets the eye. 

'More Than What Meets The Eye'

Several media reports have suggested that he resigned as the NDA-led Centre prepared to bring a no-confidence motion against him. The Centre was reportedly unhappy over Dhankhar accepting the Opposition MPs' proposal for the impeachment of Allahabad High Court Judge Yashwant Varma in the cash row case when the Centre wanted to take the lead.

"The sudden resignation of the Vice President and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is as shocking as it is inexplicable. I was with him alongside a number of other MPs till around 5 PM today and had spoken to him over the phone at 7:30 PM," Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said in a post on X.

"No doubt Mr Dhankhar has to give topmost priority to his health. But clearly there is far more to his totally unexpected resignation than meets the eye," he said.