By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Meghalaya has a total value of 1020 votes in the upcoming Presidential election featuring veteran State leader Purno A Sangma against Finance Minister and UPA’s heavyweight nominee Pranab Mukherjee.
Each MLA in Meghalaya accounts for 17 votes taking the total to 1020. The figure is estimated according to the 1971 Census which calculated Meghalaya’s population to be 10,11,699 at that time.
When asked for the reasons for following the 1971 Census for calculating the value of votes, State Chief Electoral Officer P Naik informed that it was a Constitution provision, adding that the next review will be done in 2026.
Altogether 543 Lok Sabha and 233 Rajya Sabha MPs besides 4120 MLAs from all over the country will vote in the Presidential election due on July 19. Counting of votes will be done on July 22 and the new President will assume office on July 24 when President Pratibha Patil’s term ends.
The last date for filing of nominations is June 30 while the scrutiny will be held on July 2. The last date for withdrawal of nomination has been fixed as July 4.