CP Radhakrishnan vs B Sudershan Reddy: How are Vice Presidents elected in India?

Parliament is ready to witness the election of India’s next Vice-President on Tuesday, following Jagdeep Dhankhar’s sudden resignation in July. What is usually a formal constitutional exercise has drawn heightened attention this year due to the political dynamics at play.

The contest features CP Radhakrishnan, a seasoned BJP leader from Tamil Nadu and current Governor of Maharashtra, supported by the PM Modi-led NDA, against B Sudershan Reddy, an ex apex court judge from Telangana, backed by the Congress-led INDIA bloc.

Reddy is known for several landmark rulings, including his decision declaring the Salwa Judum unconstitutional.


Parliamentary members will cast their ballots between 10 am and 5 pm via a secret ballot system, with counting set to begin at 6 pm. The Returning Officer, appointed on a rotational basis by the Election Commission, will supervise the process to ensure transparency.

How the Vice-President is chosen

The Vice-President is elected by an electoral college consisting of all members of both Houses of Parliament, including nominated members, under the Vice-President (Election) Rules, 1997, and the Representation of the People Act.

The election employs a secret ballot and single transferable vote system, ensuring proportional representation.

The successful candidate begins a full five-year term, rather than completing only the remainder of the predecessor’s tenure.

Numbers & projections

Pre-election calculations show an edge for Radhakrishnan.

The NDA enjoys support from roughly 439 MPs, bolstered by the YSR Congress Party, while BJD and BRS are expected to abstain. Reddy has drawn backing from the INDIA bloc and the AAP, which recently exited the Opposition alliance.

If the Opposition’s tally approaches 324 votes, Reddy could become the highest-polling losing candidate in Vice-Presidential election history, exceeding Sushil Kumar Shinde’s 305 votes in 2002.

Eligibility requirements

To stand for election, candidates must:

• Be citizens of India
  
• Be at least 35 years old
  
• Be qualified for election to the Rajya Sabha
  
• Not hold an office of profit under the Union or state governments
  
  

Responsibilities of the Vice-President

As the country’s second-highest constitutional office, the Vice-President serves as Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, presiding over proceedings and ensuring parliamentary protocol is maintained. Additionally, the Vice-President may act as President of India if the office becomes vacant or the sitting President is unable to perform duties.

With voting set to commence shortly, Parliament is bracing for a day of careful deliberation and strategic calculations, as India prepares to elect its 15th Vice-President.