NEW DELHI (TIP): With incumbent Vice-President Hamid Ansari’s term ending on August 10, the Election Commission today announced the election to the post on August 5 and the counting of votes the same day. Members of both the Houses of Parliament constitute the electoral college to elect the Vice-President, where nominated members — Rajya Sabha (12) and Lok Sabha (2) also have the right to vote. Altogether, 790 MPs will exercise their right to vote.

The NDA, which has a majority in the Lok Sabha and received support of parties such as AIADMK and BJD in the presidential polls, will find it easy to place its candidate as the Vice-President. Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi said the notification for the election would be issued on July 4 and nominations could be submitted by July 18.

The scrutiny will take place on July 19 and the last date for withdrawing is July 21. He said polling, if required, would take place on August 5.

A candidate requires 20 proposers and 20 seconders from the members of the electoral college. As the method of electing the Vice-President is done through proportional representation by means of single transferable votes, the legitimate electorate would be required to mark their preferences on the ballot paper using special pens designate  by the EC. No whip can be issued by parties as the poll is through a secret ballot, the CEC said.