All you want to know about Presidential election

Hyderabad: The 16th Presidential election concluded on July 18. The poll was held in parliament house and 30 state and union territory assemblies across the country

NDA candidate Droupadi Murmu is pitted against joint opposition candidate Yashwant Sinha. The Election Commission of India (ECI) conducts a presidential poll under Article 324 of the Constitution of India.

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, who supported Yashwant Singh, voted along with 111 state MLAs at the Legislative Assembly. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, who extended support to BJP-led NDA candidate, too exercised his vote.

How is the President Elected?

The President of India 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 the National Capital Territory of Delhi and the Union Territory of Puducherry].

However, the Members nominated to either House of Parliament or the Legislative Assemblies of States, including the NCT of Delhi and Union Territory of Puducherry, are not eligible to be included in the Electoral College.

Under Rule 40 of the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Election Rules, 1974, the ECI 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, NCT of Delhi, and UT of Puducherry, in that order.

Two members, Anant Kumar Singh and Mahendra Hari Dalvi were not eligible to vote in the election on Monday, owing to disqualification under Section 8 of R.P. Act, 1951. after the judgment of the competent Court.

Further, there are five vacancies in Rajya Sabha and six vacancies in State Legislative Assemblies. Therefore, there were a total of 4796 electors on the list of the Electoral College.

What was new about the 16th Presidential elections?

Unique Serial Numbered pens of violet ink were supplied to ensure that no other instrument is used by the voter for casting his or her ballot.

Facilitation for Covid19 positive electors - The Commission allowed the electors who are Covid-19 positive to cast vote in the last hour of polling or after all the non-Covid electors have exercised their franchise.

Two COVID-19 positive electors cast their vote at Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly and one COVID -19 positive Member of Parliament voted at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.