<h1>Vice-presidential election by secret ballot under single-transferable vote; MPs not bound by whips; majority is half valid votes plus one</h1> A vice-presidential election will proceed as a direct contest between the ruling coalition's candidate and the opposition's nominee after the incumbent's resignation; members of both blocs held briefings and mock polls ahead of voting. The electoral college (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members, including nominated Rajya Sabha members) will use a secret ballot under the single transferable vote; MPs are not bound by party whips. The majority threshold is half the valid votes plus one. Several unaligned MPs announced support, some parties will abstain and one will boycott. Parties nominated polling and counting agents; guidance was given to avoid invalid ballots and to mark only a first preference unless a tie necessitates counting second preferences.