Presidential poll: Counting on Sunday, Pranab set for win

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Counting of votes to elect the President of India is set to take place on Sunday with UPA candidate Pranab Mukherjee emerging as a clear favourite to win.

Mukherjee’s path to victory has been ensured by overwhelming support from the UPA allies, as also by a division of the NDA with both the Shiv Sena and JD(U) deciding to vote in his favour.

His rival, P.A. Sangma, who has been banking on 'cross-votes', has been supported by the BJP, BJD and AIADMK. The election was held on July 19.

The counting of ballots of the electoral college, comprising MPs as well as MLAs from all states, will begin in the national capital on Sunday morning. Official sources stated that the result is expected by late afternoon. The ballot boxes from the states have been brought to New Delhi for counting.

The new President will take the oath of office by on July 25. Only 72 per cent of the total votes — valued at 10.98 lakh — have been polled in these elections.

Of the total votes polled, estimated to be around eight lakh, Mukherjee is expecting to garner around 5.6 lakh votes.