Guwahati, July 18: Voting for the presidential election in which NDA candidate Droupadi Murmu is pitted against joint Opposition pick Yashwant Sinha began on July 18. Polling began at 10 a.m. and Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first to cast his vote. The voting process would conclude at 5 p.m.

Nearly 4,800 elected MPs and MLAs are entitled to vote in the election, but nominated MPs and MLAs, and members of Legislative Councils are not. Besides Room number 63 on the first floor of Parliament House, which has been converted into a polling station, voting is simultaneously taking place at various State Assemblies.

In the national capital, voting is also underway at the Delhi legislative Assembly. The counting of votes will be held on July 21.

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma casts vote

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma cast his vote for the election of the country’s next President.

Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio casts vote

Thermal scanning of all voters

Voting for the Presidential election began in Mizoram Assembly under tight security. The polling began at 10 a. m. as per schedule amidst strict COVID-19 protocol, Assembly Commissioner and secretary H. Lalrinawma said.

Thermal scanning of all voters is being done, while officials dealing with the poll and journalists covering it were tested for coronavirus two days ago.

Lalchhuanthanga of the Opposition Zoram People’s Movement was the first legislator to cast his vote. Chief Minister Zoramthanga and Speaker Lalrinliana Sailo were among the early voters.

In the 40-member State Assembly, the ruling Mizo National Front has 28 members, the Zoram People’s Movement six, the Congress five and BJP one.

The State has two MPs — one each in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Both of them are from the MNF and have cast their votes in Parliament, officials said.

Mizoram Chief Minister Pu Zoramthanga casts his vote to elect the next President of India at the state Assembly.

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