Journalism of Courage
Around 4,800 MPs and MLAs across the country are voting to elect the President of India today. (Express photo by Renuka Puri)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi after casting his vote. With the support of BJD, YSRCP, BSP, AIADMK, TDP, JD(S), Shiromani Akali Dal, Shiv Sena and now JMM, NDA nominee Droupadi Murmu has a clear edge over Opposition's joint candidate Yashwant Sinha as over 60 per cent votes are expected to be polled in her favour. (Express photo by Renuka Puri)
If elected, Murmu will become the first woman from the tribal community to hold the country’s top constitutional post.(Express photo by Renuka Puri)
The polling will take place between 10 am and 5 pm in Parliament House and state legislative assemblies. (Express photo by Renuka Puri)
The counting of votes will take place on July 21 while the next President will take oath on July 25. (Express photo by Renuka Puri)
The President is elected by the members of the Electoral College consisting of elected members of both Houses of Parliament, and elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of all states including National Capital Territory of Delhi and the Union Territory of Puducherry. (Express photo by Jithendra M)
However, the nominated members of either Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha or Legislative Assemblies of the states are not eligible to be included in the Electoral College and therefore, are not entitled to participate in the election process. (Express photo by Partha Paul)
Similarly, members of the Legislative Councils are also not electors for the Presidential election. (Express photo by Jasbir Malhi)
PC Mody, Secretary General of the Rajya Sabha, on Monday told reporters that all arrangements have been made for a free and fair election of the President of India. (Express photo by Partha Paul)
Before naming Sinha, a former Union minister during Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, the opposition camp had approached former Bengal governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi, NCP supremo Sharad Pawar and National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah to take part in the presidential battle. (Express photo by Jasbir Malhi)
Appealing to lawmakers for support on Monday, Opposition nominee Yashwant Sinha stated, “I have repeatedly said that this election is very important as it will decide the direction as to whether democracy will remain in India or will slowly end.” (Express photo by Vishal Srivastav)
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said on Monday morning that he will vote in favour of the Opposition's candidate Yashwant Sinha. "There should be someone in the country who can tell the government the situation of the economy from time to time. Look at Sri Lanka's condition," he said. (Express photo by Vishal Srivastav)
Speaking to reporters, Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar stated, "I am sure the outcome on July 21 will be in favour of Droupadi Murmu. We will attend the oath-taking ceremony on July 25. From Haryana, we will get even more votes than we have accounted for in her favour." (Express photo by Jasbir Malhi)
Former Prime Minister and Rajya Sabha MP Manmohan Singh also cast his vote on Monday morning. (Express photo by Renuka Puri)
