Presidential Election 2022: Voting concludes, 98.90% turnout in Parliament; Cong, NCP MLAs cross vote

The ballot boxes used for Monday's presidential election will start reaching the national capital from tonight and a majority of them would be at the Parliament House by Tuesday noon, officials said.

The ballot box from the Delhi Legislative Assembly as well as those from at least four neighbouring states would reach the strong room of Parliament House tonight itself.

An Election Commission functionary said the ballot boxes from state capitals which have direct early morning flights for Delhi would reach by Tuesday noon.

The ballot boxes from states which do not have direct flights will arrive by Tuesday evening. Ballot boxes from Himachal Pradesh are likely to return by road.

Despite all efforts the Congress could not stop its MLAs from cross voting in the presidential poll. MLAs in Odisha and Telangana went against the party line to support NDA candidate Draupadi Murmu.

Congress MLA in Odisha Mohammed Moquim himself informed the media about this after casting his vote. "I have listened to my conscience which guided me to do something for the soil and I voted for her though I am a Congress MLA and it is my personal decision."

In the Presidential poll no whip is issued and the voters have the right to choose.

All the 40 eligible Members of Legislative Assembly (MLA) in Goa, including Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, voted in the Presidential poll on Monday.

Elected members of state/UT assemblies and Parliament form the body to elect the President and voting to decide the new occupant of the Rashtrapati Bhavan took place in different state capitals and also in New Delhi.

Secretary of the Goa Legislative Assembly Namrata Ulman, who was the returning officer for the Presidential poll, said the polling started at 10 am and all the 40 MLAs voted by 1.50 pm (must ahead of 5 pm deadline).

All 32 legislators of the Sikkim Assembly took part in the polling to elect the 15th President of India, an official said.

Nineteen members of the ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha, 12 MLAs of their ally BJP and the lone opposition lawmaker, Pawan Kumar Chamling of the Sikkim Democratic Front, cast their vote.

The three parties have earlier announced their support for the NDA’s Presidential nominee Droupadi Murmu, a tribal leader of Odisha and ex-governor of Jharkhand.

Three Punjab MLAs did not turn up to vote in the presidential election on Monday, officials said. While Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali boycotted the poll over various "unresolved" issues related to Punjab, Congress MLAs Raj Kumar Chabbewal and Hardev Singh Laadi skipped voting.

NDA candidate Droupadi Murmu is pitted against joint opposition nominee Yashwant Sinha in the poll.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which is in power in Punjab, had earlier announced that it would support Sinha in the polls.

A total of 198 MLAs out of 200 in Rajasthan cast their vote in the 16th Presidential election on Monday. Bhartiya Tribal Party MLA Rajkumar Roat and Congress MLA Bhanwar Lal Sharma did not turn up for voting. While Sharma is unwell, Roat's son is not well.

After the polling for Presidential Elections 2022 concluded peacefully, Mr Ballot Box boarded the flight to Delhi accompanied by respective AROs of Assam, Gujarat and Karnataka. The counting of votes is scheduled on July 21, tweeted the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Polled ballot boxes and other materials from Delhi Assembly deposited with Returning Officer at Rajya Sabha at around 7 pm today.

Election Commission said 100 per cent voting registered by MLAs in 10 states and Union Territory of Puducherry.

100 per cent voting recorded in Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, HP, Kerala, Karnataka, MP, Manipur, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

67 MLAs cast their votes in the voting for the Presidential elections held in the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly today, Uttarakhand Assembly Secretariat said. 

Polling for the 16th Presidential election commenced at 10 am and closed at 5 pm. Of 736 electors incl 727 members of parliament & 9 legislative assembly members permitted by EC to vote, 730 cast their votes. Voter turnout of 99.18% registered, said PC Mody, Secretary General, Rajya Sabha.

Assisting returning officers of various states will start arriving with sealed ballot boxes via roads and flights today evening itself. Necessary security arrangements for safe transit from the airport to parliament house made, he said.

Six MPs including BJP's Sunny Deol didn't cast their vote in presidential poll, sources said. 

Voting in the election being held for the post of President of India is over at Parliament. 

Former Deputy CM of Tamil Nadu O Panneerselvam casts his vote for the Presidential polls in PPE kit as he is suffering from COVID-19.

Voting of MLAs completed for Presidential election in Delhi Assembly. 68 members voted in the 70-member Assembly. Mustafabad MLA Haji Yunus is on Haj pilgrimage, while Minister Satyendra Jain is in jail, due to which both of them could not cast their votes.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Congress MP Shashi Tharoor during voting for the election of the President, at Parliament House in New Delhi, Monday, July 18, 2022.

As the Presidential election is underway, 727 MPs and 9 MLAs have voted so far. 

Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi cast their vote in the Presidential Elections.

Union Minister & BJP MP Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday cast his vote in the Parliament for the Presidential polls.

I've voted for the presidential elections. We hope that NDA's candidate Droupadi Murmu will get maximum votes from our state: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

A total of 119 of the 126 Assam MLAs, including Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, cast their votes for the presidential polls in the assembly on Monday.
Of the 126 MLAs, 123 will cast their votes in the assembly while Congress MLA Bharat Chandra Narah has sought permission to exercise his franchise in the Parliament as he is in New Delhi for treatment.

Two AIUDF MLAs -- Suzzamuddin Laskar and Nizamuddin Choudhury – are currently outside the country.

Sarma, after casting his vote, tweeted, "I cast my vote for the 2022 presidential election."

Legislators of both ruling NDA and Opposition Congress and AIUDF were seen queuing on the assembly premises before voting began at 10 AM. Most of the cabinet ministers and Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia have cast their votes, an official said.

NCP MLA Kandhal S Jadeja says he has voted for NDA's presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu

The one (Opposition Presidential candidate Yashwant Sinha) who called Netaji (SP's Mulayam S Yadav) ISI agent, we can never support him. Hardcore SP leaders, those who follow Netaji's principles will never support a candidate who levelled such allegations: Shivpal Singh Yadav, PSP

Not even in my dreams did I think that a common man like me would be given such an opportunity. A farmer's son has filed his nomination today... Grateful to PM Modi & the leadership for this opportunity: NDA's Vice Presidential candidate Jagdeep Dhankhar after filing his nomination

I am sure the outcome on July 21 will be in favor of Droupadi Murmu. We will attend the oath-taking ceremony on July 25. From Haryana, we will get even more votes than we have counted for, in her favor: CM Manohar Lal Khattar

The route towards Delhi goes via Lucknow. Droupadi Murmu is winning the polls with a massive number of votes, said SBSP chief OP Rajbhar after casting his vote for the Presidential polls

In today's Presidential election, Shiv Sena is supporting Droupadi Murmu. We believe that Presidential polls are different from any political election. It's the highest post & vote should be cast for a suitable candidate. So, we took this decision: Aaditya Thackeray

NDA presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu would win by a large margin to become the President of India. There has been a sense of joy in this country. The tribal community of India never had an opportunity to hold this position before: Tarkishore Prasad, Dy CM, Bihar

Opposition MPs protest in Rajya Sabha and walk up to the Well of the House over inflation and GST rate hikes.

Rajya Sabha has been adjourned for the day. 

Not only NDA & its alliances, even others are supporting as she (Dropuadi Murmu) is a lady of stature. She's a tribal woman of significance. This speaks volumes about nature of democracy where even last-run community can reach highest post: Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai 

Thus parties like JDS, BSP, even Shiv Sena are supporting. More than 2/3rds are supporting, we are sure of winning. Congress is suffering from fear of defeat... Fear of losing further power is making them speak nonsense: Basavaraj Bommai

Monsoon session of Parliament: Lok Sabha has been adjourned till 2 pm for voting in the Presidential election in Parliament premises

I'll vote in the favor of Yashwant Sinha. There should be someone in the country who can tell the Govt the situation of the economy, from time to time. Look at Sri Lanka's condition. So, there should be President who can say that from time to time: SP chief & MLA Akhilesh Yadav

Our sister from the tribal community will now become the President. MLAs in MP are voting for her. I would like to appeal to everyone to rise above the boundaries of parties, vote on the basis of our conscience and contribute to make Droupadi Murmu the President: MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Our MLAs are casting their votes for the Presidential election. It is a matter of joy that for the first time, a tribal daughter will become the President. Not only the voters - the MLAs - but the common public are excited for her: Shivraj Singh Chouhan

• This election is very important, will set path for country's democracy, whether it will stay or end. I appeal to all voters to listen to their hearts: Yashwant Sinha
• This is a secret ballot, I hope they'll use their discretion and elect me to save democracy: Yashwant Sinha
• I am not just fighting a political fight but a fight against govt agencies too. They have become too powerful. They are breaking up parties, forcing people to vote for them. There is also a game of money involved: Yashwant Sinha

Voting begins for the Presidential election; MPs and MLAs across the country cast their votes

• This period is very important. It is the period of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. There is a special significance of 15th August and coming 25 yrs - when the nation would celebrate 100 yrs of independence, would be the time to make a resolution to decide the journey and the new heights we scale: PM Modi
• There should be dialogue in the Parliament with an open mind, if necessary, there should be a debate. I urge all MPs to contemplate deeply and discuss: Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Parliament
• This Session is also important because elections for the office of President and Vice President are taking place right now. Voting (for the Presidential election) is taking place today. During this period, the new President and Vice President will begin guiding the nation: PM Modi
• Parliament functions & takes best decisions with everyone's efforts; we must make full use of this session: PM Modi

The polling will commence at 10 am and conclude at 5 pm. All arrangements have been made for free and fair elections. Security arrangements in and around the Parliament and particularly the venue of the poll have been strengthened: PC Mody, Secy Gen, Rajya Sabha on Presidential poll

The President is elected by members of the Electoral College consisting of elected Members of Parliament and that of all the state Assemblies, including the National Capital Territory of Delhi and the Union Territory of Puducherry.

Nominated Members of Parliament, state Assemblies and Members of Legislative Council are not eligible to vote.

A total of 776 Members of Parliament and 4,033 MLAs will vote in the Presidential elections.

In Monday's election Droupadi Murmu of the NDA and Yashwant Sinha, backed by the opposition are the two candidates.

The EVMs, officials explained, are not designed to register this system of voting. The EVM is an aggregator of votes and under the system of proportional representation, the machine will have to compute votes based on preference and it requires an altogether different technology.

In other words, a different type of EVM would be needed.

In the 2004 Lok Sabha polls, more than 10 lakh EVMs were used in all 543 parliamentary constituencies of the country. 

Monsoon session of Parliament: The meeting of the Business Advisory Committee of the Lok Sabha chaired by Speaker Om Birla is scheduled to be held today.

NDA's presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu's win is certain. We have full faith that she will win record votes from Maharashtra: Ashish Shelar, Chief Whip, Bharatiya Janata Party, Maharashtra Assembly

• The Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill - which seeks to rationalise the government's role in cooperatives and increase participation in the working of multi-state cooperative societies, to increase public faith in them and create a conducive environment for their growth and development
• The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill - which seeks to strengthen the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code by introducing provisions on cross-border insolvency and certain other amendments for a time-bound resolution of stressed assets while maximising their value
• Two separate bills for Constitution amendment to revise the list of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) for Chhattisgarh and Tamil Nadu
• The 'Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill' - which seeks to replace the 155-year-old 'Press and Registration of Books Act' with a simplified version that decriminalises various provisions and brings digital media under its ambit
• The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment) Bill - which seeks to provide more teeth to the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) and amend a law dealing with ancient monuments. It is also aimed at rationalising prohibited areas and other amendments. The most significant aspect of the bill is that it will replace the provision which allows a 100-metre prohibited area for construction activity around centrally-protected monuments with site-specific limits to be decided by an expert committee
• The Kalakshetra Foundation (Amendment) Bill, 2022 - which seeks to amend the Kalakshetra Foundation Act, 1993 to empower the Kalakshetra Foundation to award certificates; diplomas; post-graduate diplomas; degrees to graduate and post-graduate; doctoral and post-doctoral courses; and conduct research in the areas of dance, traditional theatre, drama, Carnatic and traditional music, visual arts, craft education and art education
• The Family Courts (Amendment) and Indian Antarctic bills are listed to be taken up in Lok Sabha
• The Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Amendment Bill is listed for consideration and passing on the same day in Rajya Sabha
• The Trafficking of Persons (Protection, Care and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2022 - which seeks to prevent and combat trafficking, especially of women and children. It also seeks to provide care, protection, assistance and rehabilitation to the victims, while respecting their rights, and creating a supportive legal, economic and social environment for them, and ensuring the prosecution of offenders
• The Cantonment Bill 2022 is expected to bring in measures to ensure that the civilian population living within the cantonments does not face any difficulties. The administration of the cantonments comes under the authority of the Ministry of Defence.

The government on Sunday said 32 bills have been indicated by various departments for presentation in two houses of which 14 are ready, even as it asserted that it wants discussions on all of them in a democratic way.

After an all-party meeting in Delhi, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi also said that some of these 32 bills have already been discussed by standing committees of Parliament.

With the support of regional parties such as BJD, YSRCP, BSP, AIADMK, TDP, JD(S), Shiromani Akali Dal, Shiv Sena and now JMM, Murmu's vote share is likely to reach nearly two-thirds and she is set to become the first woman from the tribal community to occupy the top constitutional post.

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) nominee now has over 6.67 lakh votes after the support of various regional parties, out of a total of 10,86,431 votes.

The voting to elect India's 15th President will begin at 10 am today.