Who elects India’s Vice-President: electors, process, and numbers at a glance

The Vice-Presidential election, set for September 9, 2025, will see NDA’s C. P. Radhakrishnan face INDIA bloc nominee Justice B. Sudershan Reddy. Who votes, how is the process conducted, and where do the numbers stand?

The election to the post of Vice-President of India is conducted under a constitutionally mandated process overseen by the Election Commission. Unlike the Presidential poll, it involves only Members of Parliament as electors, with each carrying a single vote. The elections this year will feature C. P. Radhakrishnan, fielded by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), and Justice (Retd.) B. Sudershan Reddy, nominated by the Opposition INDIA bloc. The outcome will be determined by numerical strengths and voting alignments across both Houses of Parliament.

Who are the electors in the Vice-Presidential election?

The Vice-President is elected by an Electoral College comprising members of both Houses of Parliament, including nominated members. State legislatures play no role in this election. In 2025, the electorate consists of 782 MPs after accounting for vacancies, 543 in the Lok Sabha and 233 elected plus 12 nominated in the Rajya Sabha. Each member’s vote carries equal value.

What is the process of voting and how are the votes counted?

The election is conducted through the system of proportional representation using the single transferable vote, as prescribed under Article 66 of the Constitution. Members cast their votes by secret ballot, indicating preferences among the candidates in order. The election is conducted under the supervision of the Election Commission, which appoints a Returning Officer, typically a senior parliamentary official, to oversee the process.

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The election is conducted by secret ballot, using the single transferable vote (STV) system of proportional representation. Each MP ranks the candidates in order of preference (1, 2, 3, etc).

A candidate must secure a majority quota (more than half the total valid votes) to win. If no candidate achieves this on first preferences, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated and their votes transferred based on next preferences. This continues until one candidate crosses the threshold. As per Rule 8 of the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Rules, 1974, the poll for the election will be taken in the Parliament House. 

Who are the candidates in the 2025 Vice Presidential polls?

The NDA has nominated C. P. Radhakrishnan, currently Governor of Maharashtra and a senior BJP leader, as its candidate. The INDIA bloc has announced former Supreme Court judge B. Sudershan Reddy as its nominee. 

How do the numbers stack up between NDA and INDIA bloc?

The NDA commands a numerical edge in Parliament with the backing of its coalition parties. Its strength is further bolstered by support from regional parties such as the YSR Congress Party. The INDIA bloc, while united in fielding a joint candidate, faces the challenge of consolidating its diverse members in the voting process. The BJP-led NDA has 423 MPs, with 293 in Lok Sabha and 130 in Rajya Sabha, automatically giving them an edge over the opposition, provided all NDA allies support in favour of Radhakrishnan.

When will the election take place?

Polling for the Vice-Presidential election will be conducted on September 9, 2025, in Parliament House. Votes will be counted immediately after polling concludes, and the results will be declared the same day by the Returning Officer under the supervision of the Election Commission.