The Election Commission of India (ECI) has notified that the process of filing nominations for the July 17 presidential poll has begun from Wednesday. The nomination process will continue till June 28.
The ruling NDA and a group of Opposition parties have agreed upon a “mutually acceptable” presidential candidate. But they may go their own ways if they can’t agree upon the census.
Earlier this week, BJP chief Amit Shah had constituted a three-member committee comprising Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Arun Jaitley and M. Venkaiah Naidu to hold consultations regarding the presidential candidate with the NDA allies and the Opposition party.
The Leaders of Opposition parties will hold their meeting this afternoon to decide a candidate.
As per sources, the Opposition leaders will try and come out with some possible names for the post of the President but will await the government’s initiative in choosing the candidate.
According to the amended law of deciding a presidential candidate, a person who is supported by 50 ‘electors’ and seconded by another 50 can file the nomination. Elected members of both the houses of the Parliament and elected members of State Legislative Assemblies are the electors.
The results will be announced on July 20, if the elections are held in case both the NDA and the Opposition field their candidates.
The term of present President, Dr Pranab Mukherjee, ends on July 24.
