VP Election: NDA vs Opposition – Who Wins?
NDA Holds Strong Advantage in Vice Presidential Election Race
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as India gears up for the upcoming Vice Presidential election, the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) appears to hold a important advantage. With the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar from the post, the nation is set to elect a new Vice President, who will also preside over the Rajya Sabha.
Understanding the Electoral college and Vote Count
the Vice President of India is elected by an electoral college comprising members of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. According to the provided data, the total strength of the Lok Sabha is 543, and the Rajya Sabha has 245 members.This brings the total strength of the electoral college to 788.
Crucially, the article states that the total strength of the Rajya Sabha, excluding vacancies, is 782. To secure victory in the Vice Presidential election, a candidate needs to secure a majority of the total votes cast. Considering a full house and assuming all members exercise their franchise, a winning candidate will require 392 votes.
NDA vs. Opposition: Who Enjoys the Edge?
The NDA, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), commands a considerable presence in both houses of Parliament. In the Lok Sabha, the NDA enjoys the support of 293 members. in the Rajya Sabha, the alliance has the backing of 129 members, as reported by PTI.
Cumulatively, the ruling alliance commands the support of 422 members across both houses. This figure places the NDA well above the majority mark of 392 votes needed to comfortably win the Vice Presidential election.
On the other hand, the Congress party has 99 members in the Lok Sabha and 27 in the Rajya Sabha.With the support of the INDIA bloc, the opposition’s numbers rise to over 350.however, this figure is subject to change based on potential shifts in allegiance or abstentions from voting. The recent exit of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) from the INDIA bloc could also influence the final vote count.
Despite the opposition’s numbers, the ruling NDA holds a pleasant advantage in the current Vice Presidential election race.
The Voting Process
the election for the Vice President of India is conducted in accordance with Article 66 (1) of the Constitution. This article mandates the use of the Proportional Portrayal system through the single transferable vote. The voting process is conducted via a secret ballot, ensuring anonymity for each elector’s choice.
In this system,electors are required to mark their preferences against the names of the candidates,indicating their order of choice. This method ensures that votes are distributed proportionally, reflecting the diverse representation within the electoral college.