Presidential polls on July 17, counting on July 20: EC

New Delhi: The countdown has begun for the polls to elect the 14th President of the country with the Election Commission on Wednesday announcing the holding of Presidential elections, if necessary, on July 17.
Addressing a press conference here, Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi said ”the polling to elect India’s next President, if necessary, will be held on July 17. The counting of votes will be held on July 20.” The CEC, who addressed the press conference along with Election Commissioners OPS Rawat and AK Jyoti, said,” the notification for the Presidential polls will be issued on June 14.
The last date for the filing of nominations will be June 28. The scrutiny of nominations will be held on June 29. The last date for withdrawal of nominations will be July 1. Polling, if necessary, will be held on July 17. The counting of votes will be held on July 20.” Dr Zaidi said that Lok Sabha Secretary General has been appointed as the returning officer for this election.
”The Election Commission, in consultation with the Central government, appoints the Secretary General of the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha, by rotation, as the returning officer. Accordingly, the Secretary General of the Lok Sabha will be appointed the returning officer of the present election,” Dr Zaidi said.
He said that for the marking the vote, the Commission will supply particular pens. ”This pen will be given to the electors in the polling station by the designated official when the ballot paper is handed over.
Electors have to mark the ballot paper with this particular pen and not any other pen.
Voting by using any other pen may lead to invalidation of the vote at the time of counting, under Rule 31 (1)(d) of the Presidential and vice presidential elections rules, 1975,” the CEC said. (UNI)