New Delhi : National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate Ram Nath Kovind was on Thursday elected as the new President of India, securing a massive margin over his United Progressive Alliance (UPA) rival Meira Kumar in a straight fight.
In an electoral college of 4,986 voters with a vote value of 10,98,903, Kovind got 2,930 votes carrying a value of 7,00,244, while the former Lok Sabha Speaker secured 1,844 votes with a value of 3,67,314.
While Kovind got 65.65 per cent of the total valid vote value of 10,69,358, Meira Kumar got 34.35 per cent.
Announcing the election of Kovind as the 14th President, Returning Officer and Lok Sabha Secretary General Anoop Mishra said Kovind had got the required votes under the quota allotted to him in the transferable vote system under the Presidential and Vice Presidential Elections Act.
“I declare Ram Nath Kovind as duly elected to the Office of President,” he said.
Modi congratulates Kovind on being elected 14th President
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday congratulated NDA candidate Ram Nath Kovind on being elected as the 14th President of India and wished him a “fruitful and inspiring tenure”.
Modi also congratulated opposition candidate Meira Kumar for her campaign.
“Congratulations to Shri Ram Nath Kovind Ji on being elected the President of India! Best wishes for a fruitful and inspiring tenure,” Modi said on Twitter.
“Gladdened by the extensive support for Kovind Ji among MPs and across various states. I thank members of the electoral college,” he added.
Modi also said: “I congratulate Meira Kumarji for her campaign, which was in spirit of the democratic ethos and values we all are proud of.”
Modi also tweeted two pictures of his with Kovind and said: “20 years ago and the present… always been a privilege to know you, President Elect.”
NDA candidate Ram Nath Kovind was on Thursday elected the 14th President of India, defeating opposition nominee Meira Kumar.
