AMN / WEB DESK
Lawmakers will elect the next president on July 18, announced the Election Commission today. Votes will be counted on July 21.
Political parties cannot issue whips to their lawmakers and the voting will be secret, said the chief election commissioner, Rajiv Kumar. The new president has to be elected by July 55.
Nominations for presidential election to begin on June 15, and the last date for filing nominations is June 29. Safety protocols for Covid-19 will be followed during voting and counting of votes for presidential election, said Kumar.
Notification for the poll will be issued on the 15th of June and the last date for filing nominations will be the 29th of this month. Scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on the 30th of this month. The counting will be taken up on the 21st of July. The term of office of President Ram Nath Kovind is ending on the 24th of next month.
Mr. Kumar said, the election will be held by secret ballot in accordance with the system of proportional representation as per the Constitution. He said, the Commission is taking all necessary measures to ensure a free and fair poll. The President is elected by an electoral college comprising elected members of Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies. It also includes the Legislative Assemblies of Delhi and Puducherry.
The Chief Election Commissioner said, the Secretary-General of Rajya Sabha will be the Returning Officer for the present election. He said, polling will be held in the Parliament House and the premises of the State Legislative Assemblies.
The Chief Election Commissioner said, the total number of electors will be 4,809 including 776 Members of Parliament and 4,033 Members of Legislative Assemblies. The total value of the votes will be 10 lakh 86 thousand 431. Mr. Kumar said, all COVID precautions and protocols will be followed on the day of polling and counting. The Election Commission has directed the Election Officers to use biodegradable material to avoid the use of plastic to make the election process eco-friendly.
India’s president is elected by the members of an electoral college comprising elected members of both houses of Parliament and elected members of the legislative assemblies.