Vice-President election: EC appoints Rajya Sabha Secretary General PC Mody as returning officer

In a statement Friday, the EC said it has appointed an RO and Assistant ROs under Section 3 of the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952, in consultation with the Central Government, for holding election to the post of the Vice President.

“As per convention, either Secretary General, Lok Sabha or Secretary General, Rajya Sabha is appointed as Returning Officer by rotation. During the last Vice-Presidential election, the Secretary General of the Lok Sabha was appointed as the Returning Officer. Therefore, the Election Commission, in consultation with the Ministry of Law and Justice and with the consent of the Hon’ble Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, has appointed the Secretary General, Rajya Sabha as Returning Officer for ensuing Vice-Presidential Election, 2025,” the EC said.

In addition, Rajya Sabha Secretariat Joint Secretary Garima Jain and Director Vijay Kumar had been appointed as assistant ROs, the EC said.

The EC issued two gazette notifications, one for appointing the RO and one for the AROs.

As per the Act, the EC has a 30 to 32-day timeline for conducting election after notifying the schedule, including 14 days for filing nominations, one day for scrutiny and two days for withdrawal of candidature. If the election is contested, the polling has to be held at least 15 days after the date of withdrawal of candidature.

The electoral college for vice presidential election comprises MPs from both Houses, including nominated members. The polling takes place in Parliament, using secret ballot. Each MP’s vote carries equal value.