PM Modi Casts First Vote as VP Poll Begins

Voting for India's vice presidential election commenced on Tuesday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi being the first to cast his ballot. The election features a direct contest between the ruling NDA's candidate, C. P. Radhakrishnan, and the Opposition's B. Sudershan Reddy, following the sudden resignation of incumbent Jagdeep Dhankhar.

Among the early voters were prominent figures such as Union ministers Rajnath Singh, Arjun Ram Meghwal, and Kiren Rijiju, along with Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson Harivansh, BJP MP Kangana Ranaut, and Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav. Members of both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha will vote between 10 AM and 5 PM, with vote counting starting at 6 PM and results expected later in the evening.

The election uses a secret ballot system, meaning MPs are not bound by party whips. The electoral college consists of 781 eligible members (out of 788, due to vacancies), with a majority mark of 391. The NDA holds an advantage with 425 MPs, compared to the Opposition's 324.

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This poll underscores the democratic process in selecting the vice president, a key constitutional role.

Also Read: Stage Set! Its CP Radhakrishnan Versus Sudershan Reddy in High-Stakes VP Poll