As per the Election Commission, Jagdeep Dhankhar secured a total of 528 first preference votes, while Margaret Alva got only 182 votes, reports Asian Lite News
Former West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Saturday was elected as the 16th Vice-President of India.
The Election Commission announced that Dhankhar — the NDA nominee, emerged victorious in the Vice Presidential election in which he was pitted against the Opposition’s candidate Margaret Alva.
As the term of incumbent Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu ends on August 10, the members of both houses of the Parliament on Saturday voted to elect the next Vice-President.
Utpal Kumar Singh, returning officer for the vice presidential election, said that of total 780 electors, only 725 voted for the vice presidential poll. Of total 725 votes, 15 votes were found invalid and 710 votes valid.
As per the Election Commission, Dhankhar secured a total of 528 first preference votes, while Alva got only 182 votes.
Alva congratulates Dhankar
Opposition nominee for Vice President Margaret Alva on Saturday congratulated her contender — NDA-backed candidate Jagdeep Dhankhar, after the latter emerged victorious in the Vice-Presidential election.
She said: “This election is over. The battle for protecting our constitution, strengthening our democracy & restoring the dignity of Parliament, will continue.”
She thanked all the leaders of the Opposition, and MPs from across parties who voted for her in this election and all the volunteers for their selfless service “during our short but intense campaign”.
She said the election was an opportunity for the Opposition to work together, to leave the past behind and build trust amongst each other.
“Unfortunately, some opposition parties chose to directly or indirectly support the BJP, in an attempt to derail the idea of a united opposition. It is my belief that by doing so, these parties and their leaders have damaged their own credibility,” she added
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