Polling for presidential election gets underway

Mumbai, July 19: Polling for the 13th Presidential elections got under way here at the Central Hall in Vidhan Bhavan this morning.

Several NCP ministers and MLAs, including Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil were among the first to cast their votes when the ballot boxes were opened at 1000 hrs.

As many as 288 MLAs and 16 MPs belonging to the Shiv Sena, who have pledged support to the UPA-Left nominee Pratibha Patil, are also expected to exercise their franchise in the election to the top constitutional post.

Sixteen MPs and 56 MLAs of the Shiv Sena will meet at the official residence of Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Ramdas Kadam before casting their votes.

Accompanied by party executive president Uddhav Thackeray they will pay homage to the martyrs of the Samyukta Maharashtra movement at Hutatma Chowk. Later, the MPs and legislators will cast their votes at the Vidhan Bhavan.

UNI