AMN
The process of India’s Presidential poll began today with the Election Commission issuing a notification in this regard. The nomination process will continue till the 28th of this month. If needed, the elections will take place on the 17th of next month.
The ruling NDA government and the opposition parties have intensified their efforts to zero in on a mutually acceptable candidate for the highest constitutional post.
BJP President Amit Shah has constituted a three-member committee, comprising union ministers Rajnath Singh, Arun Jaitley and M Venkaiah Naidu, which will hold consultations with the NDA allies and the opposition on the issue.
Leaders of opposition parties are meeting this evening to chalk out their joint strategy and come up with a consensus candidate. The 10-member sub-group of the opposition is meeting for the first time after its constitution recently.
Now, a candidate who is supported by 50 ‘electors’ and seconded by another 50 can file nomination. Elected members of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha and elected members of state legislative assemblies are the electors.
If the elections are held in case both the NDA and the opposition field their candidates, then the results will be announced on the 20th of next month.
The term of present incumbent Pranab Mukherjee comes to an end on the 24th of next month.