As NDA’s C P Radhakrishnan takes on Opposition’s Justice B Sudershan Reddy in the 17th Vice-Presidential polls, read how India has voted in past elections.
The battle lines are officially drawn for the 17th Vice-Presidential election of India, which is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.
The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has announced Maharashtra Governor C P Radhakrishnan as its candidate, while the opposition has chosen former Supreme Court judge Justice B Sudershan Reddy to contest the election.
Radhakrishnan, a seasoned Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader from Tamil Nadu, currently serves as the Governor of Maharashtra. On the other hand, Justice Sudershan Reddy is a retired Supreme Court judge with a distinguished judicial career.
The polling for the Vice-President of India will be conducted in Room No. F-101, Vasudha, Parliament House. According to an official statement from the Rajya Sabha Secretariat,
“The electoral college for election to the Office of the Vice-President of India consists of the Members of both Houses of Parliament. The nominated Members of Rajya Sabha are also eligible to be included in the Electoral College and, therefore, are entitled to participate in the election.”
The statement further added,
“The polling arrangements in Parliament House are being made by Shri P.C. Mody, the Returning Officer for the Vice-Presidential Election, 2025, and Secretary-General, Rajya Sabha.”
For this vice-presidential election, the electoral college consists of 233 elected members of the Rajya Sabha, though five seats are currently vacant.
Additionally, 12 nominated members of the Rajya Sabha and 543 elected members of the Lok Sabha, with one seat currently vacant, are also part of the electoral college. In total, 788 members form the electoral college, with 781 currently eligible to vote.
The polling will begin at 10 AM and conclude at 5 PM on September 9. Counting of votes will start at 6 PM on the same day, and the results will be declared immediately after, as stated by Rajya Sabha Secretary-General P C Mody, who is also serving as the returning officer for the vice-presidential election.
As the stage is set for the polls, this election draws attention not only for the high-profile candidates but also for its historical significance. Over the years, vice-presidential elections in India have witnessed intense political strategies and cross-voting possibilities.
The country keenly watches these elections, as they are an important reflection of the parliamentary political balance and alliances.
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