On Thursday, the Election Commission announced an election for India’s next Vice President will be held on August 5. Apparently, counting the number of votes will also be done on the same day. The election will be held from 10 A.M., to 5 P.M.
Chief Election Commissioner, Nasim Zaidi said, “The date of polling, if required, will be August 5. Counting, if required, will be done on August 5.”
The filing of nomination will begin on July 4 with the issue of notification. However, July 18 is the last date for filing nomination while scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on July 19. The last date for withdrawal of nomination is July 21.
“The EC is mandated to ensure that the election for the office of Vice President of India is free and fair,” Zaidi said.
Zaidi said the Vice President is elected by the members of the Electoral College consisting of members of both the Houses of Parliament in accordance with the system of proportional representation by the means of a single transferable vote.
“For the Vice President’s election in Rajya Sabha, there are 233 members and 12 nominated members. Similarly, in Lok Sabha there are 543 members and nominated members are two. The total number of members of the Electoral College is 790,” Zaidi explained.
Further, the Chief Election Commissioner announced that the electors will be provided special pens to cast their ballot and use of any other pen will make the vote invalid.
Hamid Ansari has been the Vice President and ex officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha from August 11, 2007.
