The Election Commission of India (ECI) has officially announced that the 17th Vice-Presidential Election will be conducted on September 9, following the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar from the post. As per the commission’s timeline, the last date to file nominations is August 21, and the vote count will take place on the same day as polling.
The Ministry of Home Affairs formally declared the vacancy through a notification issued on July 22, 2025. As mandated by law, the election to fill a Vice-Presidential vacancy must be conducted as early as possible, and the elected candidate will serve a full five-year term beginning from the day they assume office.
The election process will be governed by the provisions outlined in the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952. According to Article 66 of the Indian Constitution, the Vice President is elected by an electoral college comprising members of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, through a secret ballot using the single transferable vote system.
Jagdeep Dhankhar, who took office in 2022, stepped down from his role on July 22, citing health reasons. The 74-year-old announced his decision shortly after presiding over the first day of the Monsoon Session as Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
In his resignation letter addressed to President Droupadi Murmu, Dhankhar wrote, “To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as the Vice President of India, effective immediately, in accordance with Article 67(a) of the Constitution.” The letter was made public by the Vice President’s Office.
With the Vice-Presidential post now vacant, the upcoming election is expected to be closely watched, given the significance of the role in India’s constitutional framework.