India to elect its vice president Tuesday

NEW DELHI - India is due to hold its Vice Presidential election at the country's national parliament on Tuesday, said Election Commission officials.

The poll will be held between 10:00 am and 17:00 pm local time.

Incumbent Vice-President Mohammed Hamid Ansari is the United Progressive Alliance candidate and National Democratic Alliance leader Jaswant Singh, who was former foreign minister, is his opponent.

Going by the numbers, Ansari is likely to emerge victorious, said local daily The Hindu.

The counting of votes will be taken up at 18:00 p.m. Tuesday and results declared thereafter.

India held its presidential poll last month in which veteran Congress leader Pranab Mukherjee was elected.

Both president and vice president of India are elected through balloting by the country's lawmakers.