Presidential Poll: Over 99% polling recorded across the country

New Delhi, July 18: The election for the 15th President of India was held across the country on Monday, with 721 MPs and nine MLAs voting at the Parliament H o u s e i n D e l h i , i n c l u d i n g P r i m e Minist e r Na r endr a Modi, former prime minister Manmohan S i n g h , C o n g r e s s President Sonia Gandhi and other prominent leaders. Apart of the first floor of P a r l i a m e n t w a s cordoned and Room no 63 in the Parliament . House was converted into a polling center for the electors. A red carpet was laid out for the electors, and part of the iconic Parliament building’s first floor, with its iconic red sandstone pillars, was covered with a white curtain, as the area was sanitised for voting. Huge posters showcasing the historic Rashtrapati Bhawan were also put out outside the room where the voting took place. The voting started at 10 a.m. on Monday, and MPs could be seen beelining to cast their votes, despite long queues. Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to cast his vote shortly after the polling started. Former prime minister Manmohan Singh also arrived within the first hour of the voting, even as he arrived in a wheelchair. Singh and Modi were among 350 electors who exercised their franchise within the first 1.5 hours of the presidential ballot. Four offi c e rs he lped Manmohan Singh, 89, stand up from his wheelchair and drop the paper in the secret ballot box. Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav also arrived at the venue in a wheelchair, owing to poor health. Congress President Sonia Gandhi and party leader Rahul Gandhi also cast their votes later in the day. Rajya Sabha Secretary General and Chief Returning Officer for the Presidential polls, PC Mody said out of 736 electors comprising 727 Members of Parliament (MPs) and nine Members of Legislative Assemblies (MLAs) who were permitted by ECI to vote at Parliament House, New Delhi, 730 electors – 721 MPs and nine MLAs cast their vote before closure of poll. “The total elector turnout at Parliament House was 99.18 percent,” he said. Ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate Draupadi Murmu is fighting against.

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