Article 66 of CoI : Article 66: Election Of A Vice President

Explanation using Example

Imagine a scenario where the term of the current Vice President of India is coming to an end. The Election Commission announces the schedule for the election of a new Vice President. As per Article 66 of the Indian Constitution:

• Candidates start campaigning among the members of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, as these MPs will form the electoral college to elect the new Vice President.
• A sitting MLA from a state legislature decides to run for the Vice Presidency. Upon winning, they must resign from their state legislature seat before assuming the Vice Presidential office.
• All candidates are scrutinized to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria, such as being over thirty-five years old and qualified to be a member of the Rajya Sabha.
• One of the candidates, who is a university chancellor, withdraws from the race upon learning that their position is considered an 'office of profit', making them ineligible for the Vice Presidency.
• The election is conducted by secret ballot, and the MPs cast their votes using the single transferable vote system, ensuring proportional representation.

Finally, a new Vice President is elected and takes office after the completion of the election process, in accordance with the provisions of Article 66.