Ram Nath Kovind, the NDA candidate, was today elected as India’s 14th president receiving an overwhelming majority of votes from the country’s lawmakers.
Ram Nath Kovind declared 14th President of India
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Kovind defeated opposition’s Meira Kumar, a former Lok Sabha speaker, garnering more than 65 percent of the votes in the Electoral College, the Returning Officer for the poll announced today.
The 71-year old, who will be the second Dalit to hold the top constitutional position, received 2930 votes with a value of 702044, the returning officer, Anoop Mishra, said.
- Kovind will be the first BJP member to be elected president.
- Kumar, also a Dalit, polled in 1844 votes with a value of 367314.
- The Electoral College comprises of Members of Parliament and members of legislative assemblies of all states.
- A total of 4,896 voters — 4,120 MLAs and 776 elected MPs — were eligible to cast their ballot. MLCs of states with legislative council are not part of the electoral college.
Celebrations broke out after he was confirmed the President:
And wishes from all corners poured in for the 14th president of India
After the defeat, Meira Kumar thanked her supporters
.