India elects Ram Nath Kovind as its 14th President

Ram Nath Kovind has been elected as India’s 14th President, defeating Opposition candidate Meira Kumar, garnering more than 65 per cent of the votes in the Electoral College

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) nominee received an overwhelming majority of votes from the country’s lawmakers.

Mr. Kovind defeated Opposition candidate and former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, garnering more than 65 per cent of the votes in the Electoral College, the Returning Officer for the presidential election Anoop Mishra announced.

“The 71-year-old former governor of Bihar, the second Dalit  to hold the top constitutional position, received 2930 votes with a value of 702044,” Mr. Mishra said.

Ms. Kumar, also a Dalit, polled 1844 votes with a value of 367314.

The Vice-Presidential election will be held on August 5.

While former party president Venkaiah Naidu is the NDA candidate, former West Bengal Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi is the Opposition pick.

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