elections <\/a>and use a special set of rules, prompting the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to hold a \u2018Sansad Karyashala\u2019 for its MPs so that not even a single vote is wasted. The Congress, too, is holding a mock poll on Monday to train the opposition MPs on the procedure to vote in the September 9 elections.<\/p>\nHere\u2019s why.<\/p>\n
The training for 2025 VP polls<\/h2>\n
There are a total of 732 votes \u2013 covering MPs from both Houses. Even as invalid votes have not impacted the past few VP polls results, parties do not want to waste a single vote in the process.<\/p>\n
The BJP\u2019s three-day workshop started on Sunday and was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the first day.<\/p>\n
The workshop, according to BJP leaders, is aimed at sensitising lawmakers about the voting procedure and other key aspects they need to follow while casting their votes, particularly for the first-time MPs.<\/p>\n
Both polling and counting will take place on September 9 at Parliament House.<\/p>\n
How VP polls work<\/h2>\n
As per the ECI rules, the Ballot papers for Vice-Presidential elections are printed in pink colour with two columns \u2013 first column containing the names of the candidates and, the second column, for making preference by the elector for each such candidate. The ballot papers are printed in Hindi and English.<\/p>\n
The VP polls are different from the Presidential election as the value of every vote cast in the Vice-Presidential election has the same value as one.<\/p>\n
In accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of single transferable vote, every elector can mark as many preferences, as there are candidates contesting the election.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese preferences for the candidates are to be marked by the elector, by placing the figures 1,2,3,4, 5 and so on, against the names of the candidates, in the order of preference,” the rules said.<\/p>\n
There are only two candidates in the current VP polls \u2013 CP Radhakrishnan of ruling National Democratic Alliance\u2019s (NDA) and Sudershan Reddy of Congress-led opposition.<\/p>\n
The marking by each voter \u2013 member of parliament \u2013 has to be in the space provided in column 2 of the ballot paper only. The preference by each voter can be indicated in international form of Indian<\/p>\n
numerals or in the form used in any Indian language or in Roman form but the preferences can not be indicated in words like \u2018one\u2019, \u2018two\u2019, \u2018first preference\u2019, second preference.<\/p>\n
Also, the marking of the first preference is compulsory for a ballot paper to be valid. Marking other preferences is optional.<\/p>\n
The winning candidate has to secure the required quota of votes to be declared elected \u2013 50% of the valid votes cast plus one additional vote.<\/p>\n
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