Presidential election: Notification on June 16, poll on July 19

New Delhi, June 13 (UNI) Setting the stage for the election of the new President, the Election Commission today announced that the notification for the poll will be issued on June 16 and the electoral exercise undertaken, if required, on July 19.

The Commission's announcement came amid hectic activities in political circles with the leaderships of the UPA and NDA busy finalising their respective candidates for the election to the coveted post.

The term of the present incumbent, Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, ends on July 24 and his successor ought to be elected by then.

Addressing a press conference here, Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami said the decision was taken at a meeting of the full commission, attended by both Election Commissioners Navin B Chawla and S Y Qureshi.

He said the last date of filing nominations was fixed for June 30 and the date for scrutiny of nominations was July 2.

While the last date of withdrawal of candidates was July 4, the date of polling if required was fixed for July 19, Mr Gopalaswami said, adding counting, if required, would be taken up on July 21.

The President is elected by members of the electoral college, which consists of the elected members of both the Houses of Parliament and the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of all states, including the National Capital of Delhi and the Union Territory of Puducherry.

Mr Gopalaswami made it clear that the nominated members of the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha or the Legislative Assemblies of the states were not eligible for inclusion in the electoral college and therefore, not entitled to participate in the election.

Citing the law, the xxxx Eds: Picking up from para two of DI16 ''ELECTION-PRESIDENT-NOTIFICATION TWO NEW DELHI'' UNI