The constitutional structure of India is according to various amendments and Articles provided in the Constitution of India. The election of India’s vice president is an indirect process, and citizens of India do not attain direct involvement in this election. The vice-presidential candidate must have the specific eligibility and qualification guided by the Constitution of India. The Constitution of India attains the entire regulatory guidelines regarding the powers and functioning aspect of the Vice President. It also denotes the election process and role of the union council of India in the election and powers of the Vice President of India.

Qualification And Eligibility Criteria For The Candidate Of Vice President: 

The Indian constitution has special constitutional provisions for the eligibility and mandatory qualification for the Vice President with the involvement of citizens of India. Articles 63 to 73 mention the information about the necessary terms and conditions to be the valid Candidate for Vice president. Below is the mention of these details:

  • To be a valid candidate for the Vice president of India, the candidate must be a permanent citizen of India.
  • According to the mentioned constitutional provisions, the age of the Vice President candidate must be 35 years or more.
  • As mentioned, the candidate must be eligible to be elected as a member of the Rajya Sabha for being in the nomination of Vice President.
  • The Candidate for the Vice President must not hold any office of profit in the Union government or central and state government. He must also not be in any position in the public authority or local and private authority segments.
  • The nomination of the election of Candidate for Vice President is approximately 20 electors who are a member of the parliament and act as proposers and 20 electors as the secondors. The Vice president is generally elected by the electoral college of House of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members.

Election Process Of Vice President In India:

The election process for Vice President of India is according to the listed regulation in the Constitution of India. In the Constitution of India, the election procedure is mentioned in articles 63 to 75. Below are specific details about the election process for the Vice President of India. Let’s have a look:

  • According to the Indian Constitution, the election of the Vice president of India takes place through an indirect procedure. Citizens of India are not involved in any decisions and voting.
  • The electoral college members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have the power to elect the Vice President of India.
  • The election of the Vice President is through the secret ballot method by system of proportional representation by means of single transferable voting.
  • The election commission holds power to elect the office of the Vice President.
  • The Supreme Court is the decisive authority in case of any misconceptions and disputes in the election of the Vice President. Political officials, ministers and citizens of India are not involved in this decision.
  • At the time of completing the tenure of Vice President, the next election will be held in 60 days.

Affirmation Provision Of The Vice President Of India: 

There are specific Oath or affirmation regulations mentioned in the constitution of India, and in Article 69, there is a brief mention of all the terms and conditions. All these terms are conditions related to the Vice President’s powers and functions. The Affirmation has specific procedures to follow and rules to take the Oath to serve the citizen of India. This process takes place after a scheduled date after the election of the Vice President. Below are the constitutional regulations for the oath process of the Vice President of India:

  • The Vice President of India takes the Oath for their position to follow all the regulatory actions, honestly serving the country within its limitations.
  • The Oath ceremony takes place before entering the office of the Vice President.
  • The elected Vice President of India takes their Oath in front of the President or any subordinate representative.

Conclusion:

The constitution of India regulates all the procedures of this election and eligibility regulations. The Position of the Vice President of India is the second highest powerful position. Hence the election process is relatively closed, and powers and functions are regulated under the constitution of India. The Voting right to elect the Vice President of India is under the control of electoral members of the houses of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, and citizens of India are excluded from this process.