Notification for Presidential election to be issued today

With the Election Commission due to issue notification for the Presidential election on Wednesday, political parties are exploring options and working out formula on selecting the next head of state.

BJP announced the formation of a three-member committee on Monday to discuss, negotiate and to build a consensus with various political parties.

On Presidential candidate, the committee has already started its work.

Union minister Venkaiah Naidu who is part of a three-member BJP committee to hold consultations with party allies and the opposition said that the party has started internal consultations. The other members of the committee are Arun Jaitley and Rajnath Singh.

He appealed to all parties to go by the mandate of the people, which is for the ruling dispensation. In the coming days, all committee members, will be speaking to leaders of other political parties.

BJP President Amit Shah on Tuesday met with members of the committee separately and discussed various issues.

So far, no name has officially been proposed by either the government or the opposition.

The committee says it will try to build a consensus by talking to all political parties.

The opposition parties have also started discussions for a common opposition candidate. A sub-committee of opposition parties will meet on Wednesday evening. The ten-member committee includes leaders from the Congress, JDU, NCP RJD, and CPIM. The opposition says it will name a candidate by the 24 June.

The last date for filing nominations is 28 June 2017. Nomination papers will be scrutinized on 29 June, and withdrawal of nominations is open till July 1.

The Election Commission has said that if an election is necessary it will be held on 17 July.

Counting on electoral college votes will take place on 20 July.

The term of President Pranab Mukherjee ends on July 24 and a New President will be elected before that.