NEW DELHI: The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate Ram Nath Kovind defeated Opposition candidate Meira Kumar to be elected as the 14th President of India.
After counting of votes from Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Jharkhand, Ram Nath Kovind bagged 1,389 votes (with a value of 4,79,585). Opposition candidate Meira Kumar, on the other hand, gathered 576 votes (with a value of 2,04,594).
Kovind won the Presidential poll by a margin of 3,34,730 votes, with Meira Kumar left limited to 3,67,314 votes.
A total of 4,109 MLAs and 771 elected MPs were eligible to cast their ballot. While 4,083 MLAs voted, 768 MPs exercised their franchise.
The Presidential polling and counting that took place in eight rounds started at 11 am today.
President Pranab Mukherjee will demit the office on July 25.
RELATED REPORTS:
Here are the Live updates:
My election as the president is evidence of the greatness of Indian democracy: Kovind.
I never aspired to be the president; my win is a message to those discharging their duties with integrity: Kovind. (PTI)
I thank all those who supported me from across the country. I feel very emotional today and I will represent all those struggling to make a living: Ram Nath Kovind. (PTI)
My best wishes to Kovind ji, it is upon him to uphold the Constitution in letter and spirit in these challenging times, says Meira Kumar. She further said, "I want to thank opposition leaders including Congress president Sonia Gandhi ji; my fight for secularism to continue." (PTI)
PM Narendra Modi congratulates Ram Nath Kovind on his election as President; says he is gladdened by the extensive support he got. He also also congratulated opposition nominee Meira Kumar for her campaign, says it was in spirit of democratic ethos and values which "we all are proud of". (PTI)
NDA's Ram Nath Kovind all set to become the next President of India, official announcement awaited. (ANI)
Cross Voting reported in Goa, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh: TV Reports
NDA Presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind crosses halfway mark; last phase of counting underway. (ANI)
Kovind gets 1,389 votes with value of 4,79,585; Kumar gets 576 votes with value of 2,04,594 after counting in Parliament House and 11 states. 37 invalid votes. [FULL REPORT]
Ram Nath Kovind gets 60,683 votes, Meira Kumar 22,941 votes in Assam, Arunachal, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar: Returning Officer Anoop Mishra. (PTI) [READ FULL REPORT HERE]
I have fought this election with faith, belief and confidence in the ideology. I also believe in inner voice of conscience, Meira Kumar tells the media. [READ FULL REPORT HERE]
Ram Nath Kovind's village celebrates.
The counting for the presidential poll has started.
The name of the 14th President will be announced by 5 pm today.
Thirty-two polling stations, including the one in Parliament house, have been set up in various states.
The Election was held on 17th of this month and around 99 per cent voting was recorded.
Ballot boxes from 29 state capitals and the union territory of Puducherry have reached Parliament House amid tight security.
Meira Kumar, the former Speaker of Lok Sabha, was announced as the Indian National Congress (INC)-lead opposition's candidate for the post of President of India, after a meeting held on June 22, 2017.
Both Kovind and Kumar are from the Dalit community and have canvassed hard by visiting states to seek the support of legislators.
The Presidential election on July 17 saw 100 percent polling of 11 states. A total of 771 members of Parliament and 4,109 legislators were eligible to cast votes.
(From Agency inputs)