EC announces schedule for presidential elections; polling to be held on July 18

Election Commission of India yesterday announced the schedule for the Election of 16th President of India. Announcing the poll schedule in New Delhi yesterday, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said, poll will be held on 18th of July. Notification for the poll will be issued on 15th of June and last date for filing of nominations will be 29th of this month. Scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on 30th of this month. The counting will be taken up on 21st of July. Term of office of President Ram Nath Kovind is ending on 24th of next month.

The President is elected by an electoral college comprising elected members of Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies. It also includes Legislative Assemblies of Delhi and Puducherry.

Mr. Kumar said, election will be held by secret ballot in accordance with system of proportional representation as per the Constitution.

The Chief Election Commissioner said, total number of electors will be 4,809 including 776 Members of Parliament and 4,033 Members of Legislative Assemblies. Total value of the votes will be 10 lakh 86 thousand 431.