BJP names former Jharkhand governor Droupadi Murmu as its Presidential candidate

The Presidential elections will be held on July 18 and the counting of votes, if needed, will be conducted on July 21. The last date of nomination has been set for June 29. The new president has to be sworn in by July 25. President Ram Nath Kovind's tenure ends on July 24.

Published on: Jun 21, 2022, 21:36:51 IST

By HT News Desk | Written by Aryan Prakash

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday announced Droupadi Murmu as the NDA's presidential candidate. The announcement was made by Bharatiya Janata Party president JP Nadda after the BJP Parliamentary Board meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

File photo of Droupadi Murmu with President Ram Nath Kovind and his wife.  ((@rashtrapatibhvn))

“For the first time, preference has been given to a woman tribal candidate. We announce Droupadi Murmu as NDA's candidate for the upcoming Presidential elections,” Nadda said.

The tribal leader served as the Jharkhand governor between 2015 and 2021. If elected, she will be the first tribal woman to occupy the top constitutional post. She will be contesting the presidential polls against UPA presidential nominee Yashwant Sinha, whose candidature was announced earlier in the day.

The Presidential elections will be held on July 18 and the counting of votes, if needed, will be conducted on July 21. The last date of nomination has been set for June 29. The new president has to be sworn in by July 25. President Ram Nath Kovind's tenure ends on July 24.

“A total of 4,809 electors to vote in the Presidential elections 2022. No political party can issue a whip to its members,” chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar had said.

The president of India is elected indirectly by the votes cast by an electoral college. This electoral college comprises the 776 members of Parliament (both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) and the members of legislative assemblies, with a total of 4,809 votes being cast. The value of the votes of the members of assemblies combined is 543,231 and the MPs is 543,200, equaling a value of 1,086,431.

The nominated members of either Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha or legislative assemblies of the states are not eligible to be included in the electoral college and therefore, they are not entitled to participate in the election.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.