The Vice President election in India was held on 9 September 2025. It was held earlier than expected due to the early resignation of the previous Vice President. This article will give you an insight into how the election took place. You will get to know about the schedule, rules, leading candidates, voting details and why this vote was important.
Election Trigger: Why it was held early
In July 2025, the Vice President resigned due to health reasons. This unexpected move created a vacancy before the natural end of his term. The Constitution requires that a new Vice President be elected as soon as possible. Thus, the polls were fixed for 9 September 2025.
Election Schedule and Timetable
Here is how the election process unfolded at a glance:
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Election Commission’s notice | August 7, 2025 |
| Nomination last date | August 21, 2025 |
| Scrutiny of nominations | August 22, 2025 |
| Withdrawal last date | August 25, 2025 |
| Voting day | September 9, 2025 |
| Vote counting | Same evening, Sept 9 |
This schedule led to a smooth and speedy election.
Who can vote and how voting works
Every member of both houses of Parliament votes. This includes elected and some nominated members.
They vote by secret ballot using a system called the “Single Transferable Vote”. This means they rank the candidates in order of preference. Voters must mark a “1” next to their top choice – only numbers, no words allowed. This bracketed method ensures accurate counting and preserves secrecy.
Candidates
Two people contested the Vice Presidential election:
- C. P. Radhakrishnan: Nominated by the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA). He is a seasoned politician and currently serves as the Governor of Maharashtra.
- B. Sudarshan Reddy: Nominated by the opposition India Bloc. He is a retired Supreme Court judge with a reputation for integrity.
The battle between seasoned politicians and respected jurist gave the election more significance.
Polling day: What was revealed
- Polling officially began at 10 am in Parliament.
- The Prime Minister cast his vote first, as per formal tradition.
- The voting continued till 5 pm.
- Several senior leaders from both the groups turned up to vote. This included the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition and prominent MPs.
- Some parties decided to abstain altogether. They cited various issues like the farmers’ crisis and political protests.
- A mock poll was conducted before the actual voting. This helped MPs understand the process and reduce confusion.
Counting and results
- The counting of votes began at 6 pm on the same day, in the same room where the voting began.
- The results were expected in the late evening hours after the polls closed.
- The NDA coalition, which holds the majority in Parliament, dominated. However, the secret ballot and the abstention rate were not without surprises.
- The threshold for victory is a simple majority of valid votes, which is more than half of the votes cast.
Why this election was special
This vice presidential election was notable in several ways:
- It was early – the sitting vice president was sidelined for health reasons, leading to an unscheduled vote.
- The fast-paced schedule – just over a month from notification to voting.
- A strong contender – a prominent judge against a coalition leader – added serious competition.
- Secret polling stations – many said it allowed MPs to vote with discretion.
- Absenteeism was key – some regional parties were elected openly, citing political reasons or protests.
- Democratic background – it highlighted how India responds to sudden changes in its constitutional system.
Understanding the Role of the Vice President
The Vice President holds the highest constitutional office. He serves as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (the upper house). He also serves as the Acting President, when necessary. This office is second only to the President of India.
The Vice President plays an impartial role in guiding debates in the upper house of Parliament and in discharging national duties in the event of the President being unable to serve.
The Vice Presidential election held on 9 September 2025 demonstrated India’s democratic strength. It began with a sudden vacancy, was a fast-paced process, and featured serious candidates.
The voting reflected constitutional norms: secret ballot, scheduled counting, and fair competition. Despite the NDA’s advantage, the secret ballot means that every MP’s choice matters.
In short, this election showed that India’s political system is strong, responsive, and resilient. It showed that even unexpected changes can be resolved quickly and transparently.
