During the voting, the deputies of the country's parliament and state legislatures will elect a head of state from two candidates. As reported by Xinhua, the ruling party "Bharatiya Janata Party" nominated Ram Nat Covind, and from the opposition - Meira Kumar.

This will be the fifteenth presidential election in the country since 1950, when the institution of presidency was established here. The first politician who received this post, Rajendra Prasad held his two terms in a row.

Today, for the first time in the political history of India, the main struggle will unfold between two descendants of the untouchables.

Recall that the president in India is elected not in general elections, and the electoral college, which includes members of the upper and lower house of parliament, as well as state legislatures. In this case, the weight of the vote of a deputy of each legislative assembly is determined by a special formula, taking into account the number of seats in this authority and the total population of the state or union territory. The elections will be attended by 776 members of two houses of parliament and 4,120 members of state and union state legislatures. Electoral votes will be counted until July 20.

According to URA-Inform, the powers of the current president Pranab Mukherjee expire on July 24, the elected head of state will take office the next day.