Part V - The Union • Article

Article 68 Simplified: Time of holding election to fill vacancy in the office of Vice-President and the term of office of person elected to fill casual vacancy

The election to choose the next Vice-President must be completed *before* the current one's 5-year term ends. If the office becomes vacant due to death or resignation, the election must be held as soon as possible, and the new Vice-President gets a full 5-year term.

Official Text

(1) An election to fill a vacancy caused by the expiration of the term of office of Vice-President shall be completed before the expiration of the term. (2) An election to fill a vacancy in the office of Vice-President occurring by reason of his death, resignation or removal, or otherwise shall be held as soon as possible after the occurrence of the vacancy, and the person elected to fill the vacancy shall, subject to the provisions of article 67, be entitled to hold office for the full term of five years from the date on which he enters upon his office.

Simple Meaning

Explain Like Ten

This article says we must finish electing the next Vice-President before the current one's 5 years are up. If a Vice-President dies or resigns, we must elect a new one as soon as possible, and the new one gets a full 5-year term.

Student Mode

Prescribes the time limits for Vice-Presidential elections: (1) Election to fill a vacancy due to term expiration must be completed before the term expires. (2) Election to fill a casual vacancy (due to death, resignation, removal, etc.) must be held as soon as possible, and the new Vice-President serves a full 5-year term.

Example

To avoid any gap, the Election Commission starts the process to elect a new Vice-President several weeks before the outgoing VP's term expires.

Key Takeaway

The Constitution ensures that elections for Vice-President are held on time to maintain administrative continuity.

FAQs

If a Vice-President resigns, does the successor serve only the remaining term?

No, the new Vice-President is elected for a full term of five years under Article 68(2).

Is there a maximum time limit specified for holding the Vice-Presidential casual vacancy election?

Unlike the President's election (which must be held within 6 months), the Constitution simply states that the VP casual vacancy election must be held 'as soon as possible'.

Quiz

The election to fill a vacancy caused by the expiration of the term of Vice-President must be completed:

Answer: Before the expiration of the term

A person elected to fill a casual vacancy in the office of Vice-President holds office for:

Answer: A full term of 5 years