 "Grind begins for presidential election")
As Pranab Mukherjee's term ends on July 24, the Election Commission has announced that voting to elect India's next President will be held on July 17, with counting on July 20, if needed. Although no political parties have come up with names of candidates, the balance of advantage (see table) is with the ruling National Democratic Alliance. It is likely to announce a nominee in a few days.
Who can vote
The electoral college comprises elected members of both Houses of Parliament and elected members of the legislative Assemblies of all states, besides Delhi and Puducherry. A total of 4,896 voters, comprising 4,120 members of legislative Assembly (MLAs) and 776 elected Members of Parliament (MPs).
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Who cannot vote
Nominated members of the Rajya Sabha, Lok Sabha and legislative assemblies do not have the right to vote. Nor members of the Legislative Councils.
Unlike the Lok Sabha and assembly elections in India, presidential elections do not have a electronic voting system using EVMs. The Commission will supply a special pen to all voters to mark their choice of candidate on ballot papers.
The elector has to mark preferences against names of the candidates. While marking of the first preference is compulsory for the ballot paper to be valid, other preferences are optional.
Polling will take place in Parliament House and in the premises of legislative assemblies. The Constitution has expressly provided that the election shall be by secret ballot. The procedure, laid down in the 1974 Rules, provides that after marking the vote, the elector is required to fold the ballot paper and insert it in the ballot box.
*AIADMK: All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam; AAP: Aam Aadmi Party; INLD: Indian National Lok Dal; BJD: Biju Janata Dal; TRS: Telangana Rashtra Samithi & others
No Whip
Political parties cannot issue any whip to their MPs and MLAs for this election.
Nomination of candidates
The nomination paper of a candidate has to be subscribed by at least 50 electors as proposers and by at least another 50 electors as seconders. A security deposit of Rs 15,000 is also needed.
Election schedule
June 14: Issue of notification
June 28: Last date to make nomination
June 29: Date for scrutiny of nomination
July 1: Last day to withdraw nomination
July 17: Date of election (if needed)
July 20: Counting of votes will be held in Delhi (if needed)
