Presidential Election Schedule To Be Announced Today

The Election Commission (EC) will today announce the schedule for the election of the next President of India, an official release said.

The term of President Ram Nath Kovind ends on July 25, and according to Article 62 of the Constitution, the next President has to be elected by then.

The President of India is elected by an electoral college that's formed by 776 parliamentarians and 4,120 legislators. The total strength of the electoral college is 10,98,903 votes.

The NDA has 48.9 per cent of the votes of all MPs and MLAs. 

Sources say the government wants a consensus with its allies and supporting parties, so as to be in a "comfortable and commanding position" to decide on the next President.

Among others, the BJP is reaching out to the Biju Janata Dal and YSR Congress Party - to support its candidate.

The Opposition is yet to announce a joint candidate for Presidential polls, and taking the lead in meetings to build consensus are Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhara Rao or KCR and Maharashtra leader Sharad Pawar.

The last Presidential polls were held in 2017, in which Ram Nath Kovind had secured 65.35 per cent to become the 14th President of India.