Summary Box:
- ECI begins vice presidential election process after Dhankhar’s resignation
- NDA commands 422 votes, surpassing the 392 required majority
- Opposition INDIA bloc numbers over 350, but faces internal cracks
A Battle for the Vice Presidency: Numbers and Strategy
The race for India’s next Vice President has officially begun, just two days after Jagdeep Dhankhar’s resignation from the post. The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced on July 23 that preparations are underway to hold the election and form the electoral college, which comprises members of both Houses of Parliament — the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. All elected and nominated Members of Parliament (MPs) are entitled to cast their votes in this crucial contest.
Currently, the Lok Sabha has 543 members, but the Basirhat seat in West Bengal is vacant. Similarly, the Rajya Sabha’s 245-member strength is down by five, with four vacancies from Jammu and Kashmir and one from Punjab. This brings the combined effective strength of both Houses to 782. To secure victory, a candidate must garner at least 392 votes, assuming a full turnout. With the numbers heavily tilted in favor of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the upcoming vice presidential election appears to be a largely one-sided contest.
#JagdeepDhankharResigns | As the election for India's Vice President approaches, the NDA holds a slight edge with 425 members against the India Bloc's 307@poonam_burde | @_pallavighosh #Dhankar #ParliamentSession pic.twitter.com/kGDxMjt5D2
— News18 (@CNNnews18) July 22, 2025
NDA’s Dominance in Parliament
- NDA commands 293 seats in Lok Sabha
- Holds 129 seats in Rajya Sabha
- Combined strength stands at 422 votes
The NDA’s parliamentary strength gives its candidate a decisive edge. With 293 members in the Lok Sabha and 129 in the Rajya Sabha, the alliance’s combined support of 422 votes comfortably surpasses the majority threshold. This overwhelming advantage ensures that any NDA-backed nominee is likely to sail through with ease, barring any major political realignment.
Meanwhile, the Opposition — led by the Congress with 99 members in Lok Sabha and 27 in Rajya Sabha — is rallying behind the INDIA bloc. While the bloc’s numbers surpass 350, the recent exit of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the possibility of abstentions or cross-voting dilute their ability to pose a serious challenge to the NDA.
The Voting Mechanism
- Conducted under Article 66(1) of the Constitution
- Uses proportional representation and single transferable vote
- Voting is done through a secret ballot
The vice presidential election follows a distinct electoral process outlined in Article 66(1) of the Constitution. Voting is conducted through a proportional representation system by means of a single transferable vote. MPs must rank candidates in order of preference on a secret ballot. This method ensures that the winning candidate enjoys broad-based support among the electorate, though in this case, the NDA’s numerical superiority minimizes any uncertainty.
What Lies Ahead
- NDA likely to nominate a veteran leader or ally representative
- Opposition grapples with fractured unity and strategic confusion
- Formal election schedule expected soon from ECI
The coming days will see intense speculation over the NDA’s candidate, with names of senior leaders and allies being floated. The Opposition, meanwhile, faces the uphill task of presenting a unified front amidst growing internal differences. The ECI is expected to release the detailed election schedule shortly, setting the stage for what appears to be a decisive and predictable outcome.
Final Verdict: NDA Set for a Comfortable Victory
With 422 assured votes across both Houses of Parliament, the NDA holds a commanding lead over the required majority of 392, leaving little room for surprises in the vice presidential election. The Opposition INDIA bloc, even with over 350 members, faces internal disunity and reduced bargaining power due to the AAP’s exit and possible abstentions. The proportional representation voting system will further consolidate the NDA’s advantage, making the outcome almost certain unless an unexpected political upheaval occurs.
