 "Presidential Election 2017: Voting begins in Tamil Nadu Assembly as E Palaniswami casts first vote")
Chennai: Voting to elect the 14th President of the country began here on Monday with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E Palaniswami casting his vote.
[caption id=“attachment_3738765” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File images of Ram Nath Kovind and Meira Kumar. PTI[/caption] He was followed by Speaker P Dhanapal, DMK’s MK Stalin, former chief minister O Panneerselvam and others. Speaking to reporters after casting his vote Palaniswami said he cast the first vote to elect the next President. Minister of state for road transport, highways and shipping Pon Radhakrishnan also cast his vote. According to Radhakrishnan, the voting is progressing at a brisk pace. Elected members of parliament (MP) and member of legislative Assemblies are eligible to vote in the presidential poll. The fight is between Ram Nath Kovind, nominee of ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and Meira Kumar nominee for the opposition parties. President Pranab Mukherjee demits office on 25 July.
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