Opposition party Margaret Alva, a Congress veteran, to filed her nomination papers for the Vice-Presidential elections.
Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge said“ Opposition leaders jointly accompanied Smt Alva_margaret ji when she filed her nomination papers for Vice Presidential election. We will continue to fight for the soul of our Nation and the Constitution undaunted” he tweeted.
On the other hand the ruling NDA has announced West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar is ruling party candidate for the Vice President post.
As per sources, the election schedule to be held on 6 August.
Acoording to Article 63 states that there shall be a Vice-President of India. Vice President is the second-highest constitutional authority after the President. The office of the Vice-president is a unique feature of India and
has no exact parallel in other democratic countries.
Role & responsibilities:
According to Article 64 confers upon the post the power to be ex-officio Chairman of the Council of States (the Rajya Sabha). Under Article 64 (2), the Vice-President(VP) also discharges presidential functions when the President is unable to do so owing to absence, illness or any other cause.
As per Article 65, the VP can act as the President, in the event of the occurrence of any vacancy in the office of the President by reason of his death, resignation or removal or “until the date on which a new President enters upon his office.
Any citizen of India who is at least 35 years of age and a registered voter in a state or Union Territory can be a candidate for the post. At least 20 MPs need to propose the nomination and 20 other
MPs need to second it.
As per Article 66 (2), the Vice-President cannot be a member of either House of Parliament or of the Legislature of any state. In the Method of election system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote. The voting at such election shall be by secret ballot.
Article 67 says that the Vice-President will hold office for a term of five years from the date on
which he enters upon his office. However, according to the same provision, the Vice-President can continue to hold power notwithstanding the expiration of his term until his successor enters upon his office. Removal from the office May leave mid-term by submitting a resignation letter to the President. The Constitution states that the Vice President can be removed by a resolution of the Rajya Sabha passed by an effective majority (i.e.,majority of all the then member of the house ) and agreed by the Lok Sabha with simple majority (Article 67(b)). Provision if the post falls vacant. There is no direct provision in the Constitution on who performs the duties of the Vice-President if the office falls vacant before the expiry. However, the Constitution says the Deputy Chairman or any other member of the Rajya Sabha authorised by the President can perform the chairperson’s duties.
