Voting for the country’s Vice President is scheduled for Tuesday, September 9th. Leading up to the election, the ruling NDA and the India bloc are diligently working to garner support for their respective candidates. This election promises to be fascinating, with both alliances expressing confidence in their victory, though the path ahead is not entirely smooth. The election was necessitated by Jagdeep Dhankhar’s resignation from the Vice Presidential post last month, citing health reasons.
This marks the 17th Vice Presidential election. The election is conducted by an electoral college comprising members from both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Let’s examine which party holds the advantage, who is supporting whom, and the voting procedure.
**CP Radhakrishnan versus Sudarshan Reddy**
The Vice Presidential election features a contest between CP Radhakrishnan, a senior BJP leader from Tamil Nadu, and B. Sudarshan Reddy, a former Supreme Court judge from Andhra Pradesh. Radhakrishnan, the Governor of Maharashtra, is seen as a loyal and trustworthy figure within the BJP organization, and his presence is part of the party’s strategy to solidify its foothold in South India. On the other hand, Sudarshan Reddy is known for his honest and impartial image in the judiciary. The opposition believes he is committed to upholding the constitution and democratic values. This direct clash between politics and the judiciary adds to the historical significance of this election.
**Who are the Voters in the Vice Presidential Election?**
The Vice President is elected by an electoral college consisting of members from both houses of Parliament. Nominated members also participate in this election. State assemblies have no role in this process. In 2025, excluding vacant positions, there will be 782 MPs in both houses, including 543 in the Lok Sabha, 233 elected members in the Rajya Sabha, and 12 nominated members. Each MP’s vote carries equal weight.
**What is the Voting Process and How is it Counted?**
The Vice President’s election is conducted under Article 66 of the Constitution through a proportional representation system using a single transferable vote (STV). Voters cast their ballots secretly, ranking the candidates in order of preference (1, 2, 3, etc.). To win the election, a candidate must secure more than half of the total valid votes. If no candidate achieves a majority with first-preference votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their ballot papers are transferred according to the next available preferences. This process continues until a candidate secures a majority.
The Election Commission oversees the Vice Presidential election. A returning officer, usually a senior parliamentary official, is appointed to monitor the voting. The voting is conducted in the Parliament House under Rule 8 of the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Rules, 1974.
**Who is Supporting Whom?**
The BJP-led NDA holds a strong majority in the Lok Sabha, and several regional parties are reportedly supporting it, making CP Radhakrishnan’s victory appear almost certain. However, the opposition India bloc seems more united and robust. The Congress, Trinamool Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, Samajwadi Party, RJD, Left parties, and other opposition parties have actively campaigned in support of Sudarshan Reddy. Shiv Sena (UBT) is also backing Reddy. In addition, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) President Asaduddin Owaisi, at the request of Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, has decided to support Justice Sudarshan Reddy.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh contacted DMK President and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin to seek support, but Stalin refrained from making any statement. Furthermore, the YSR Congress Party has indicated its support for the NDA. It has four members in the Lok Sabha and seven in the Rajya Sabha. It had supported NDA candidates in the previous Presidential and Vice Presidential elections. BJD chief and former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is currently in Delhi; he has not disclosed his stance on the Vice Presidential voting. However, BJD senior MLA Pramila Mallik has stated that the party leader will make a decision at the appropriate time, prioritizing the interests of Odisha.
**BJP’s Strategy Before the Election**
Before the Vice Presidential election, the BJP organized a two-day workshop for its MPs, attended by PM Modi and all party MPs. Detailed information on the voting process and the technicalities of secret balloting was provided at the workshop. The NDA leadership emphasized that any negligence could benefit the opposition, urging MPs to remain vigilant. The opposition also held continuous meetings to ensure unity among its MPs.
**Who has the Majority?**
The NDA seems to have the upper hand in the Vice Presidential election because it has a majority in the Lok Sabha. According to the figures, the NDA has 293 MPs in the Lok Sabha and 130 in the Rajya Sabha, along with 12 nominated members. This gives the NDA a total of 435 MPs. With 782 MPs participating in the election, the majority mark is 392. If there is no cross-voting, the NDA’s victory is almost certain.