Upcoming presidential polls, if needed, will be held on July 20. Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, the Chief Election Commissioner Naseem Zaidi said that the polls, if needed will be held on July 17 and the counting of votes will be take place three days later i.e. on July 20. He also announced June 28 as last date for filing nomination. Notedly, the term of President Pranab Mukherjee will end on 24 July. So far, neither the BJP-led NDA nor the Congress-led Opposition have come out with their candidates for the presidential election. He also clarified that political parties cannot issue any whip to any MPs and MLAs in the voting for the Presidential Elections. The president of India is chosen through an Electoral College that includes national and state lawmakers.
Here is the complete detail:
Last date for making nominations – 28 June 2017
Date for scrutiny of nominations – 29 June 2017
Last date for withdrawal of candidature – 1 July 2017
Date of poll – 17 July 2017
Date of counting, (if required) – 20 July 2017
Polling hours – 10 am-5 pm
Counting time – 11 am-Till the counting is complete
The elections are expected to be a contest between the NDA and the Opposition led by Congress. Congress president Sonia Gandhi is in talks with other opposition parties for consensus over a final candidate. However, they are yet to arrive at a conclusion. Bolstered with the support of regional parties like TRS, YSR Congress, BJP is in a strong position to win the election. If the ruling government nominates a candidate who most parties agree on – then an election would be necessary. However, some reports suggest BJP is keen on showing party’s strength and wants to continue its winning streak.
