Ram Nath Kovind leading by one lakh votes

New Delhi: The counting of votes for the Presidential election was underway here today with the ruling NDA’s nominee Ram Nath Kovind leading by one lakh votes, over Opposition’s candidate Meira Kumar, when we went to the Press.

The name of the next occupant of the Rashtrapati Bhavan would be known by 5 pm today. The voting took place on Monday, July 17.

Ballot boxes were opened in the presence of representatives of the two candidates — Ram Nath Kovind and Meira Kumar — and the Observers of the Election Commission.

First, the ballot box of Parliament House was opened, and then, the ballot boxes received from States were counted on alphabetical basis. The votes were counted on four separate tables in eight rounds.

Counting was held under the supervision of the Lok Sabha Secretary General Anoop Mishra, who is also the Returning Officer.

Close to 99 percent voting was recorded for electing India’s 14th President.

A total of 4,896 voters — 4,120 MLAs and 776 elected MPs — were eligible to cast their ballot. MLCs of States with Legislative Council were not part of the electoral college.

While the value of an MLA’s vote depends on the population of the State he or she belongs to, the value of an MP’s vote remains the same at 708.