 "Why physiotherapists in India will no longer be allowed to use ‘Dr’ before their names")
 "Nepal’s Sushila Karki and her India connection")
The counting for the presidential election held on Monday will start on Thursday and the name of the next occupant of the Rashtrapati Bhawan would be known by 5.00 pm, according to reports. According to Lok Sabha secretary general Anoop Mishra, who is also the returning officer of the election, the counting would begin at 11 am. First, the ballot box of Parliament House would be opened, and then, the ballot boxes received from states would be counted on alphabetical basis. [caption id=“attachment_3833051” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Meira Kumar (left) and Ram Nath Kovind. Agencies[/caption] Officials said all preparations have been made for the vote count and that all ballot boxes have already reached Parliament House by Tuesday evening amid tight security, according to IANS. The votes would be counted on four separate tables and there would be eight rounds of counting. An Election Commission official who has witnessed previous two presidential polls said that usually, results are declared at around 5 pm. Close to 99 percent voting was recorded for electing India’s next president. The numbers are stacked in favour of the ruling coalition’s nominee Ram Nath Kovind over the Opposition’s candidate Meira Kumar. Thirty two polling stations including the one in Parliament house, were set up in various states. Officials said the seals of ballot boxes will be opened on Thursday in the presence of representatives of the two candidates — former Bihar Governor Kovind and former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar — and the observers of the Election Commission. A total of 4,896 voters — 4,120 MLAs and 776 elected MPs — were eligible to cast their ballot. MLCs of states with legislative council are not part of the electoral college. While the value of an MLA’s vote depends on the population of the state he or she belongs to, the value of an MP’s vote remains the same at 708. The total value of votes of the presidential electoral college is 10,98,903, and the NDA candidate is slated to get over 63 percent votes. In the last presidential election in 2012, Pranab Mukherjee had defeated PA Sangma and got over 69 percent votes.
Presidential election 2017 results highlights: Ram Nath Kovind defeats Meira Kumar, to become next President of India
The counting for the presidential election will start and the name of the next occupant of the Rashtrapati Bhawan would be known by 5.00 pm.
 "Presidential election 2017 results highlights: Ram Nath Kovind defeats Meira Kumar, to become next President of India")
Sumitra Mahajan expresses hope that Kovind will work for all
Confident that he (Ram Nath Kovind) will work for all from his position.Had very good experience with Pranab Da: Lok Sabha Speaker S Mahajan pic.twitter.com/4URZdxrXXo
— ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2017
Kovind’s victory marks an important milestone in political history: Mufti
#RamNathKovind's victory marks an important milestone in the political history. It reflects empowerment of weaker sections of society:J&K CM pic.twitter.com/4SWFqLitPY
— News18 (@CNNnews18) July 20, 2017
Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal congratulates Kovind over phone
Congratulations to #RamNathKovind for being elected as 14th President of India. The nation has got an honest & dedicated President: Assam CM pic.twitter.com/O3Noq3n9gq
— News18 (@CNNnews18) July 20, 2017
How easy was it for Ram Nath Kovind to win the election?
PM Modi felicitates Kovind
#WATCH Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP President Amit Shah and Union Min Ananth Kumar felicitate President Elect #RamNathKovind in Delhi pic.twitter.com/YonlhKPtuW
— ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2017
Pranab Mukherjee sends his wishes to Kovind
Heartiest congratulations and best wishes to Shri Ram Nath Kovind on being elected as the 14th President of India #PresidentMukherjee
— President Mukherjee (@POI13) July 20, 2017
In pictures: Modi meets Kovind and congratulates him for the win
Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets President Elect #RamNathKovind in Delhi, congratulates him on his victory pic.twitter.com/pAnH0LY7zR
— ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2017
A wave of joy sweeps Kovind’s hometown
From burning lamps using ghee, distributing sweets to welcoming guests with ‘gulaal’ and flowers, a festive spirit permeated the atmosphere in Jhinjhak, 160 kilometres from Lucknow. Family members of the newly-elected president, who will go to Delhi by train on 23 July, have already started buying clothes for the swearing in ceremony.
Ram Nath Kovind is known for his organisational skills and easy demeanor
Stepping away from quietude to the spotlight of constant scrutiny that comes with being the country’s first citizen, Kovind was picked for the job by the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) from Raj Bhavan in Patna, where he had struck an easy working relationship with Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar.
It was perhaps Kovind’s non-confrontational approach to politics that led the JD(U) chief to back him for the president’s office even though he had been critical of his appointment as the governor, but later it led to the curious situation of the party endorsing the opposition’s candidate Gopalkrishna Gandhi for the vice president’s post.
This easy demeanour has stood the Kanpur-born former lawyer in good stead, say political watchers. He is not just a Dalit leader, but is known for his organisational skills and is a loyal member of the BJP, attributes that not many in the larger NDA family can boast of.
PTI
Devendra Fadnavis sends his wishes
Maharashtra congratulates Shri #RamNathKovind Ji on being elected as the President of India with such great majority and support ! pic.twitter.com/QNHPXaT0yi
— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) July 20, 2017
Never aspired to be the president: Ram Nath Kovind
After his landslide win, Ram Nath Kovind said that he never aspired to become the president of India and his win is a message to those discharging their duties with integrity.
Nitish Kumar congratulates Ram Nath Kovind
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar congratulates #RamNathKovind over phone for #PresidentialPoll2017 victory
— ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2017
Meira Kumar represented Congress’ dynasty culture: BJP
BJP spokesperson GVL Narsimha Rao said there were many to say that it was indeed an ideological contest with the NDA’s “merit-based” selection pitted against the dynasty promoted by the Congress-led alliance.
The Congress stood for “fake” slogans of Dalit empowerment as it did not field a Dalit when its candidate won the presidential elections in 2007 and 2012, he said.
Yogi Adityanath and Nitin Gadkari congratulate Kovind
#RamNathKovind's image is clean. I would like to congratulate #PresidentKovind on the behalf of Uttar Pradesh: CM @myogiadityanath pic.twitter.com/40rd8WxO2W
— News18 (@CNNnews18) July 20, 2017
I congratulate Ram Nath Kovind ji for his victory. It is a victory of the democracy: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari pic.twitter.com/zp9sfEeDTd
— ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2017
Watch Meira Kumar’s entire speech here
Best wishes with #PresidentKovind as it has fallen upon him to uphold Constitution in letter & spirit in these challenging times: #MeiraKumar pic.twitter.com/1pPIoAAq9Z
— News18 (@CNNnews18) July 20, 2017
Meira Kumar thanks everyone who voted for her
“I want to thank all members of collegium who have voted for me and all those who unanimously made me a candidate in this election. I want to thank all the citizens who supported me,” Kumar said.
Here’s a look at all the presidents of India
Ye zimmedari diya jana desh ke har aise vyakti ke liye sandesh hai jo imaandari ke sath kartavyon ka nirvahan karta hai: President Elect pic.twitter.com/1su6rJe1a3
— ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2017
Meira Kumar congratulates Kovind, vows to continue fighting for secularism
My best wishes are with Sh. Kovindji as it has fallen upon him to uphold the Constitution in letter & spirit in these challenging times. 2/2
— Meira Kumar (@meira_kumar) July 20, 2017
My fight for secularism, the oppressed & the marginalised continues.I thank all my well wishers for their support & good wishes.
— Meira Kumar (@meira_kumar) July 20, 2017
Watch Ram Nath Kovind’s entire speech
#PresidentKovind This is an emotional time for me. Would like to thank and congratulate Oppn candidate #MeiraKumar: President #RamNathKovind pic.twitter.com/bB6nbxp5iR
— News18 (@CNNnews18) July 20, 2017
It is a very emotional moment for me: Ram Nath Kovind
“I want to tell the people that Ram Nath Kovind is going to the Rashtrapati Bhawan as a representative of the poor,” said Kovind. He added that protecting the Constitution is his responsibility now.
Visuals from Ram Nath Kovind’s house
Celebrations in Madhya Pradesh's Guna at the house of President elect #RamNathKovind's brother. pic.twitter.com/yQdPiSh4lW
— ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2017
Wishes pour in for Ram Nath Kovind
Congratulations and good luck to Ram Nath Kovind ji, the new president of India.
— ashutosh (@ashutosh83B) July 20, 2017
Heartiest congratulations to Shri #RamNathKovind ji for being elected as the 14th President of India.
— Prakash Javadekar (@PrakashJavdekar) July 20, 2017
Narendra Modi shares old picture with Kovind, says an honour to know him
20 years ago and the present…always been a privilege to know you, President Elect. pic.twitter.com/IkhnOtYf8N
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 20, 2017
Ram Nath Kovind is the 14th President of India: All you need to know about him
Kovind has a long career in politics behind him. He has headed the BJP’s Dalit Morcha and is among one of the few Dalit faces the party could boast of in it’s folds in north India. The party has also nominated him as its Rajya Sabha MP from the Hindi heartland twice in the past, where he enjoyed consecutive terms from 1994 for the next 12 year till March, 2006.
Read the entire article _here_
Narendra Modi congratulates Ram Nath Kovind and Meira Kumar
Congratulations to Shri Ram Nath Kovind Ji on being elected the President of India! Best wishes for a fruitful & inspiring tenure.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 20, 2017
I also congratulate @meira_kumar Ji for her campaign, which was in spirit of the democratic ethos & values we all are proud of.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 20, 2017
Win of Ram Nath Kovind is a victory for the poor: Amit Shah
The election of Shri Ram Nath Kovind ji is a victory for the poor, downtrodden & marginalised and their aspirations.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) July 20, 2017
I thank BJP members, NDA family, other valued parties and leaders who supported Shri Ram Nath Kovind ji.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) July 20, 2017
The final picture after the counting
Ravi Shankar Prasad congratulates Kovind
Congratulations to Shri #RamNathKovind Ji on his victory in #PresidentialPoll2017. pic.twitter.com/JcjSJDarBq
— Ravi Shankar Prasad (@rsprasad) July 20, 2017
BJP workers celebrate Kovind’s win
Anoop Mishra announces the next President of India
#BREAKING — #RamNathKovind has been elected as the new President of India: Anoop Mishra, Secretary-General Lok Sabha #PresidentKovind pic.twitter.com/exM7yeKma8
— News18 (@CNNnews18) July 20, 2017
Ram Nath Kovind’s hometown celebrates his win
#PresidentialPolls — #RamNathKovind’s hometown, Kanpur, erupts in joy after the big win #PresidentKovind pic.twitter.com/hBeZQC70Sr
— News18 (@CNNnews18) July 20, 2017
Here’s the vote break-up
Meira Kumar: 3,67,314
Ram Nath Kovind: 7,02,044
Total votes cast: 10,69,358
Cross-voting in Gujarat, Assam, Goa, Maharashta and Uttar Pradesh helped Kovind win
BREAKING | Ram Nath Kovind is the 14th President of India.
— News18 (@CNNnews18) July 20, 2017
Read more about his journey here: https://t.co/8iy5EYFVTk pic.twitter.com/yONK6aMkmO
Final count of the Presidential election
#BREAKING | 66% of votes in favour of #RamNathKovind, 34% in favour of #MeiraKumar: Sources #PresidentialPolls #KovindVsMeira #RaceToRaisina pic.twitter.com/ESti1JcyZt
— News18 (@CNNnews18) July 20, 2017
Here’s how Delhi voted
 "Israel targets top Hamas leaders in Doha; Qatar, Iran condemn strike as violation of sovereignty")
 "Nepal: Oli to continue until new PM is sworn in, nation on edge as all branches of govt torched")
 "Who is CP Radhakrishnan, India's next vice-president?")
 "Israel informed US ahead of strikes on Hamas leaders in Doha, says White House")
 "Israel targets top Hamas leaders in Doha; Qatar, Iran condemn strike as violation of sovereignty")
 "Nepal: Oli to continue until new PM is sworn in, nation on edge as all branches of govt torched")
 "Who is CP Radhakrishnan, India's next vice-president?")
 "Israel informed US ahead of strikes on Hamas leaders in Doha, says White House")
Top Shows
