In a significant political development, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday announced the initiation of the process to conduct elections for the post of the Vice President of India, following the unexpected resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar, who stepped down just two days ago, citing health reasons.
The move has triggered widespread speculation and debate, given the sudden nature of his departure.
In an official press release, the ECI stated that it was acting under the powers vested in it by Article 324 of the Constitution, which mandates the Commission to conduct elections to the nation’s top constitutional offices.
The poll process for the Vice President, the second-highest constitutional authority in India after the President, is governed by the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952, along with the rules framed under it in 1974.
Electoral College Formation Underway
The Vice President is elected under Article 66(1) of the Constitution, through an electoral college that includes members of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
The election is held via a proportional representation system using a single transferable vote, and voting is conducted through a secret ballot, ensuring confidentiality and fairness in the process.
The ECI noted that preparations were already underway for the formation of this electoral college and that returning officers were being appointed to oversee the electoral process. The official election schedule will be announced once these groundwork steps are completed.
Sudden Resignation Sparks Political Chatter
While the ECI’s announcement marks a procedural milestone, the spotlight remains firmly on Jagdeep Dhankhar’s resignation, which has come more than two years before the end of his term, originally slated to conclude on August 10, 2027.
The official reason cited for his resignation was “health-related issues.” However, political observers, opposition leaders, and constitutional experts have expressed surprise over the abrupt nature of the decision, especially since no prior indication of health concerns had been made public.
Sources within political circles claim that Dhankhar had recently grown increasingly distant from key government decisions, and his views on matters of parliamentary conduct were said to have diverged from those of the ruling establishment.
While there has been no formal confirmation of such internal disagreements, the timing and manner of his resignation have given rise to speculations of political pressure or behind-the-scenes conflict.
Critics argue that the sudden exit without a detailed public explanation undermines transparency and has raised concerns about the health of democratic institutions. The government, however, has maintained that the decision was personal and medical.
As the nation awaits the announcement of the election schedule and potential candidates, the developments surrounding Dhankhar’s resignation are likely to remain a topic of intense scrutiny and debate in the days to come.