Droupadi Murmu, who, if elected, will become the first tribal woman at the top Constitutional post.
New Delhi: The counting of votes to ascertain the next President of India will begin at 11 am on Thursday and the result is expected around 4 pm. Although there are two candidates – NDA’s Droupadi Murmu and Opposition candidate Yashwant Sinha – the counting of votes is being seen as a mere formality.
According to sources, the BJP is prepared to celebrate the victory of Murmu, who, if elected, will become the first tribal woman at the top Constitutional post.
The ballot boxes from all the states have reached the Parliament House and polling officials are ready to begin the counting in room number 63, the strong room of Parliament.
The polls were held on Monday at the Parliament House and in each of the 30 centres in the state legislative assemblies, including the legislative assembly of Delhi and Puducherry.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Congress national president Sonia Gandhi, senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Shashi Tharoor were among the leaders who voted at Parliament House. Chief Minister of all states also voted in their respective state assemblies.
As per Article 54 of the Constitution, the President is elected by the members of an Electoral College consisting of the elected members of both Houses of Parliament and the elected members of the legislative assemblies of all states including Delhi and Puducherry. The Members nominated to either House of Parliament or the legislative assemblies of states, including Delhi and Puducherry are not eligible to be included in the Electoral College.
Under Rule 40 of the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Rules, 1974, the Election Commission (EC) is required to maintain a list of members of the Electoral College. The list contains the names of elected members of the Rajya Sabha, Lok Sabha and the elected members of the legislative assemblies of states, Delhi and Puducherry, in that order.
