EC to announce date for vice-president election

NEW DELHI: Even as the campaign for the Presidential polls picks steam, the Election Commission will announce election to the post of vice-president on Thursday. The term of the incumbent,

Hamid Ansari

, is due to expire on August 10, necessitating elections to choose his successor.

Ansari has served two terms as Vice-President, having been first elected to the post on August 7, 2007 and then re-elected in 2012.

Polling for the vice-presidential elections is likely to be held in the first week of August. The electoral college for the vice-president's post comprises members of both Houses of Parliament.

While the Presidential polls are witnessing a contest between NDA candidate RN Kovind and Opposition's nominee Meira Kumar, it remains to be seen if a contest on similar lines will also be held for the vice-president's post.

While Kovind has already started his campaign, Kumar filed her nomination on Wednesday.

Polling for the Presidential election is scheduled for July 17, with counting of votes on July 20.