New Delhi: The election to the post of India’s next President would be held on July 17, if needed, the Election Commission (EC) announced on Wednesday.
Though the Opposition has promised a contest on ideological grounds, the next President might be a consensus candidate, and no election might be needed. President Pranab Mukherjee completes his term on July 24.
The election process would begin from June 14 with the issuance of a notification. Nominations would end on June 28. The process to elect India’s 15th President would end on July 20 with the counting of votes.
According to a schedule announced by the EC, a candidate can withdraw from the election till July 1.
The President is elected through a system of proportional representation, which comprises MPs and members of state Assemblies. A total of 4,896 people — 4,120 MLAs and 776 MPs — are eligible to vote.
As of now the electoral college is tilted in favour of the NDA. Sources said that the ruling coalition might announce its candidate in the next couple of days.
