New Delhi: The election to elect the next President of India, if needed, would be held on July 17 announced the Election Commission, yesterday.

Though the Opposition has promised a contest on ideological grounds, the next President might be a consensus candidate, and no election might be needed. President Pranab Mukherjee completes his term on July 24.

The election process would begin from June 14 with the issuance of a notification. Nominations would end on June 28. The process to elect India’s 15th President would end on July 20 with the counting of votes.

According to a schedule announced by the EC, a candidate can withdraw from the election till July 1.

The President is elected through a system of proportional representation, which comprises MPs and Members of State Assemblies. A total of 4,896 people   — 4,120 MLAs and 776 MPs — are eligible to vote.