C.P. Radhakrishnan Elected as the 15th Vice-President of India

Syllabus: GS2/Governance

In News

• C.P. Radhakrishnan was elected as the 15th Vice-President of India.

Vice-President of India

• The Vice-President of India, established under Article 63 of the Constitution, holds the second-highest constitutional office after the President. 
• As per Article 64, the Vice-President serves as the ex officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. 
• Under Article 65, the Vice-President assumes the role of Acting President in case of a vacancy due to death, resignation, removal, or other reasons, and also discharges presidential functions during the President’s temporary inability.
  • During such periods, the Vice-President enjoys all powers, immunities, and privileges of the President, including emoluments and allowances.
• Article 66 lays down the process of the election of the Vice-President.
  • Under the Constitution, the Vice-President cannot be a member of Parliament or any State Legislature. If elected while holding such a position, the person is deemed to have vacated their seat upon assuming office as Vice-President.

Eligibility and term of office

• To be eligible for Vice-President, a person must be an Indian citizen, at least 35 years old, and qualified to be a Rajya Sabha member. 
• They must not hold any office of profit under the government. 
• The Vice-President serves a five-year term but continues until a successor takes over.
  • They may resign to the President or be removed by a Rajya Sabha resolution approved by the Lok Sabha.

Vice-Presidential Election

• The Vice-President is elected by an Electoral College comprising members of both Houses of Parliament, including nominated members.
  • State legislatures play no role in this election.
• As per Rule 8 of the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Rules, 1974, the poll for the election will be taken in the Parliament House.
• The election is conducted through the system of proportional representation using the single transferable vote, as prescribed under Article 66 of the Constitution. 
• The election is conducted by secret ballot, using the single transferable vote (STV) system of proportional representation.
  • Each MP ranks the candidates in order of preference (1, 2, 3, etc).

Declaration of winner 

• A candidate must secure a majority of valid votes to win; if no one achieves this initially, the lowest-ranked candidate is eliminated and votes are redistributed until a winner emerges.

Disputes 

• Article 71 of the Constitution assigns the Supreme Court the authority to resolve disputes related to the election of the President or Vice-President, with its decisions being final.
  • If an election is declared void, actions taken during the term remain valid. Parliament can also legislate on matters related to these elections.

Salary, pension and other perks

• In 2018, the salary of the Vice President was raised to Rs 4 lakh, up from Rs 1.25 lakh, and the President’s to Rs 5 lakh from  Rs 1.5 lakh.
• The provisions under the Vice-President’s Pension Act, 1997 ensure 50% of the salary as lifetime pension, and half of that to the spouse after their death.
  • Former Vice-Presidents also receive a rent-free residence, medical and travel benefits, and secretarial staff support.

Source: BS