New Delhi: The election to the office of Vice-President of the country will be held on August 5 and results will be announced the same day, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Nasim Zaidi said here today announcing the schedule. The term of the incumbent Vice-President Hamid Ansari expires on August 10.
Mr Ansari has served two consecutive terms. The formal notification for election of the new Vice-President will be issued on July 4 and last date of nominations will be July 18, and scrutiny of papers will be held on July 19. The last date for withdrawal of candidature is July 21, and poll if required would be held on August five, Mr Zaidi said, adding that counting of votes in case poll was held would be taken up and completed the same day.
The Vice-President will be elected by an electoral college comprising all Members of Parliament. Altogether 790 MPs will be eligible for exercising their right to cast vote. Of these, 245 are Rajya Sabha members, including 12 nominated, and 545 Lok Sabha members, including two nominated ones, Mr Zaidi said. MPs will use special pens for marking their choice. Secretary General of the Rajya Sabha has been appointed as the Returning officer for the election. A nomination paper of a candidate has to be subscribed by at least 20 electors as proposers and at least 20 others as seconders. Mr Zaidi said under law, no whip can be issued by political parties to their MPs to influence the elected members’ decision or choice of their candidates.
