Question

According to Article 63 of our Constitution, "There shall be a Vice-President of India". In this context, state:
(a) The manner of his election.
(b) The qualification for election.
(c) Two of his important powers.

Answer 1

Hint:
- After the President, the Vice President is India's second-highest constitutional office. "There shall be a Vice President of India," according to Article 63 of the Indian Constitution.
- The election of the Vice President is governed by Article 66 of the Indian Constitution.
- The Vice President is chosen for a five-year term. The Vice President is eligible for re-election an infinite number of times. The office can, however, be terminated sooner due to death, retirement, or removal.

Complete answer:
A) Manner of election
The Vice President is chosen indirectly by an electoral college composed of members (both elected and nominated) of both houses of Parliament, in accordance with the proportional representation system, by means of a single transferable vote, with secret ballot voting.

The election of the Vice-President is governed by Article 66. He is elected indirectly by an electoral college made up of all elected members of both houses of Parliament, and he serves for a five-year term. The election is held using a single transferable vote system in accordance with the proportional representation system.

B) Qualification for election
To be eligible for election as Vice President, a person must meet the same requirements as the President:
- Become an Indian resident.
- An individual must be 35 years old or older to apply.
- Keeping a profit-making role is banned.

While a person must be eligible for election as a member of the Lok Sabha (House of Peoples) to be President, a person must be qualified for election as a member of the Rajya Sabha to be Vice President (Council of States). This distinction is due to the fact that the Vice President will serve as the Rajya Sabha's ex officio Chairman.

C) Two of his important powers
1. He serves as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and has the same duties as the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, namely, to perform the House's business and uphold decorum.
2. In the event of a vacancy created by his retirement, dismissal, death, or otherwise, he serves as President.

Note:
- All issues arising from the Vice President's election are taken before the Supreme Court of India, which investigates the case. The appeal is heard by a five-member Supreme Court bench, which takes the final decision. The Supreme Court's ruling is absolute.
- The Vice President is sworn in by the President and takes the oath of office and secrecy.