Vice President Election – System of Proportional Representation
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: NDTV
Context: Polling for the Vice-Presidential election began on September 9, 2025, following the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar.
• Prime Minister of India cast the first vote, with CP Radhakrishnan and Justice B. Sudershan Reddy contesting for the post.
About Vice President Election – System of Proportional Representation:
What it is?
The Vice President of India is elected by an Electoral College of both Houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha + Rajya Sabha, elected & nominated members) using the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote (STV), conducted through a secret ballot.
How the Vice President Election Works?
• Electoral College: Composed of all elected and nominated members of both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Unlike the President’s election, State Legislatures are not part of this process.
• Composed of all elected and nominated members of both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
• Unlike the President’s election, State Legislatures are not part of this process.
• Equal Value of Votes: Each MP’s vote has the same value = 1. This makes the process straightforward compared to the President’s election, where vote value differs.
• Each MP’s vote has the same value = 1.
• This makes the process straightforward compared to the President’s election, where vote value differs.
• Ballot Paper & Preferences: Ballot papers are pink, bilingual (Hindi & English). Candidates’ names are listed in the first column; the second column is for preferences. MPs mark their choice by writing 1, 2, 3… against candidates’ names (in international numerals, Indian scripts, or Roman numerals). Writing “one”, “two” in words or leaving it blank invalidates the preference.
• Ballot papers are pink, bilingual (Hindi & English).
• Candidates’ names are listed in the first column; the second column is for preferences.
• MPs mark their choice by writing 1, 2, 3… against candidates’ names (in international numerals, Indian scripts, or Roman numerals).
• Writing “one”, “two” in words or leaving it blank invalidates the preference.
• Quota Calculation (Winning Threshold): The winning candidate must secure a quota of votes = (Total Valid Votes Cast ÷ 2) + 1 Example: If 780 MPs vote, the quota is (780 ÷ 2) + 1 = 391 votes.
• The winning candidate must secure a quota of votes = (Total Valid Votes Cast ÷ 2) + 1
• Example: If 780 MPs vote, the quota is (780 ÷ 2) + 1 = 391 votes.
• Counting & Transfer of Votes: First Preference Count: All “1” marked votes are tallied. If a candidate reaches the quota in this round → declared elected. If no candidate reaches the quota: The candidate with the least votes is eliminated. Their votes are transferred to the next preference (“2”) marked by those MPs. This process continues until one candidate crosses the required quota.
• First Preference Count: All “1” marked votes are tallied.
• If a candidate reaches the quota in this round → declared elected.
• If no candidate reaches the quota: The candidate with the least votes is eliminated. Their votes are transferred to the next preference (“2”) marked by those MPs.
• The candidate with the least votes is eliminated.
• Their votes are transferred to the next preference (“2”) marked by those MPs.
• This process continues until one candidate crosses the required quota.
• Secret Ballot: Voting is confidential. MPs are not bound by any party whip because anti-defection law does not apply. This allows for cross-voting, making outcomes less predictable.
• Voting is confidential. MPs are not bound by any party whip because anti-defection law does not apply.
• This allows for cross-voting, making outcomes less predictable.
Significance:
• Democratic legitimacy: Ensures the Vice President is elected with majority support of MPs across parties.
• Checks dominance: Preference voting system reduces chances of unfair victory by a simple plurality.
• Institutional balance: Strengthens the role of Vice President, who is also the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha.