India to get its 15th President today: 5 points you need to know

Counting of votes for the Presidential election will begin at 11 on Thursday. The BJP is making elaborate preparations to celebrate the victory of Droupadi Murmu, who is expected to far outstrip Opposition’s Yashwant Sinha.

The voting to elect the president took place on July 18 and was completed in a peaceful manner. Presently, the contest is between BJP-led NDA candidate Droupadi Murmu and Opposition candidate Yashwant Sinha. It is evident that the NDA candidate has a clear edge in the contest.

Also read: India elects its President: Its Droupadi Murmu vs Yashwant Sinha

Of the 736 electors comprising 727 MPs and nine MLAs who were permitted by the Election Commission to vote at Parliament House, 728 electors cast their vote. This includes 719 MPs and nine MLAs. The total turnout at Parliament House was 98.91 per cent.

Also read: Presidential Elections 2022: How BJP is planning to celebrate Droupadi Murmu’s victory

Only counting officers, officials deployed to assist the Rajya Sabha Secretary General, candidates and one authorised representative of each candidate, observers appointed by the Election Commission and media persons with valid passes will be allowed entry into the counting hall. Rajya Sabha Secretary General PC Mody is the returning officer for the Presidential election.

Here are 5 points you need to know:

a. According to reports, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Murmu at her temporary lodgings in Teen Murti Marg and congratulate her after the election results are declared.

Also read: President Elections: Officials scrutinise over 70 applications other than Murmu, Sinha

b. The Delhi BJP has reportedly planned a roadshow after the NDA candidate’s victory from the party headquarters to Rajpath. Many senior leaders will be present on the occasion.

c. The residents in Odisha’s Rairangpur, which is also the hometown of Murmu, are ready to celebrate with 20,000 sweets prepared. A tribal dance and victory procession have also been planned.

Also read: Draupadi Murmu: 10 things to know about BJP’s presidential candidate

d. As many as 34 parties declared support for the Opposition candidate, former Union minister Yashwant Sinha and 44 for Droupadi Murmu, the former Governor of Jharkhand. But several MLAs have confessed to cross voting in favour of Murmu.

e. The newly-elected President will take oath on July 25.