Prez poll: Sonia, PM propose Pratibha's candidature

New Delhi, June 19: The UPA-Left today began the preparation of the nomination papers of its Presidential candidate and Rajasthan Governor Pratibha Patil with Congress President and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi signing the documents as the first proposer.

Ms Patil is likely to file her papers on June 23 for the July 19 poll.

Setting in motion the process of getting her nomination papers subscribed by at least 100 electors, Ms Gandhi signed as the first proposer of Ms Patil's candidature. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh signed as the second proposer.

Ms Gandhi and Dr Singh signed the nomination papers of Ms Patil in the presence of Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Prithviraj Chavan and Minister of State for Personnel Suresh Pachouri.

The formal exercise to prepare the nomination papers of Mrs Patil comes a day after the race to elect the country's next President took a new turn with the Third Front springing a surprise by favouring a second term for incumbent A P J Abdul Kalam.

A nomination paper of a presidential candidate has to be subscribed by at least 50 electors as Proposers and at least 50 electors as Seconders.

An elector can subscribe to only one nomination paper of a candidate as either a proposer or a seconder.

The last date for making nominations is June 30 and scrutiny will take place on July 2 . The last date for withdrawal of nominations is July 4. While the poll is to be held on July 19, counting of votes is slated for July 22.

UNI

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