India will choose its next Vice President on Tuesday through a secret ballot. Members of Parliament from both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha will vote between 10 am and 5 pm. Counting of votes will start at 6 pm, and the results are expected the same evening. Although the Opposition has fielded a candidate, the ruling NDA is clearly ahead in numbers.
Why Is Vice President Election Done on Ballot Paper?
Using paper slips and a secret ballot, the Vice President is elected. MPs can vote freely under this arrangement, free from party leadership pressure. Since the vice president also serves as the Rajya Sabha’s chair, the election is neutral and fair because the poll is kept secret.
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Where Else Is Ballot Paper Used in India?
Ballot papers are still used in some important elections, especially for high constitutional posts. These include:
Presidential Election – where MPs and MLAs vote secretly.
Rajya Sabha Elections – where proportional representation is used.
Legislative Council Elections – in states like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Bihar.
Ballot papers are used in these elections because accuracy and confidentiality are more crucial than speed. However, Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are utilized to process millions of votes rapidly in both municipal and general elections.
Candidate Profiles
NDA Candidate – C. P. Radhakrishnan
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Current Governor of Maharashtra.
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Former BJP leader with strong experience.
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Chosen unanimously by the NDA and backed by its allies.
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INDIA Bloc Candidate– B. Sudarshan Reddy
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Former Supreme Court judge and Goa Lokayukta.
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Represents the Opposition INDIA alliance.
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Known for his judicial background and respected across parties.
Voting & Counting Process
Voting will be held on Tuesday from 10 am to 5 pm, and MPs from both Houses will vote using ballot papers. Counting will start at 6 pm, and the results will be declared the same evening.
The electoral college has:
- 233 elected Rajya Sabha members (5 seats vacant)
- 12 nominated Rajya Sabha members
- 543 elected Lok Sabha members (1 seat vacant)
This makes a total of 786 MPs, and the winning candidate must get at least 394 votes.
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Numbers For NDA
The NDA has a strong majority in Parliament, giving it a clear edge.
In the Lok Sabha, the BJP-led alliance has 293 members.
In the Rajya Sabha, it has support from 129 members.
Together, the NDA has 422 MPs, well above the 394 needed.
Parties like the BRS and BJD have chosen not to vote, which makes the NDA’s position even stronger.
Who Will Win?
Numbers heavily favour C. P. Radhakrishnan. While Judge B. Sudarshan Reddy may campaign strongly, the NDA’s numbers make his win unlikely. Results are expected late Tuesday evening after counting concludes.
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Why This Election Matters?
The Vice President election shows the importance of secret voting through ballot papers in India’s democracy. With the NDA’s majority, the result looks decided in advance, but the election still highlights the Opposition’s symbolic unity and role in Parliament.
