EC appoints returning officer for V-P election

Following the resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on July 21 citing medical reasons, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has initiated the constitutional process to elect his successor.

- Vrinda Tulsian

On Friday, it appointed the secretary general of the Rajya Sabha as the returning officer for the Vice-Presidential Election.

Garima Jain, joint secretary, and Vijay Kumar, director, both from the Rajya Sabha secretariat, have been appointed as assistant returning officers. The appointments were made in consultation with the ministry of Law and Justice and with the consent of the deputy chairman of the Rajya Sabha. A Gazette notification is being issued separately.

Under Article 324 of the Constitution and the provisions of the Presidential and Vice-Presi-dential Elections Act, 1952 and the associated rules framed in 1974, the ECI is responsible for conducting the election to the office of the Vice President of India. As per Section 3 of the Act, the returning officer must be based in New Delhi. By conven-