The Vice President, being the President of the Senate, presides over the counting of the Electoral College votes during a joint session of Congress. Following the count, the VP then officially declares the winner of the presidential election.
The media has occasionally described incumbent VP Mike Pence's role as an "awkward" one.
The role of the vice president as presiding officer is often an awkward one, as it will be for Pence, who will be charged with announcing Biden’s victory — and his own defeat — once the electoral votes are counted. It will be especially tense for the former Indiana congressman as his boss, Trump, has refused to concede.
So, does the Constitution mandate that the Vice President must be the presiding officer during the Electoral College count? If not, who else can take up the role?