The nominations for presidential poll have started at 11 AM today and would conclude on June 30. It is known that the Election Commission has recently released the election notification to presidential polls. The polling would be conducted on July 19. While nominations start on June 16, the last date for withdrawls is July 4 after scruitny, which will take place on July 2.

It may be noted that President Pratibha Patil will step down from the post on July 24.  Therefore, the elections for the post will take place next month. The secretary general of Rajya Sabha will become the Returning Officer.

UPA has declared Pranab Mukherjee as its presidential candidate while its ally Trinamul Congress is opposed to the idea. Meanwhile, UPA requested all political parties to extend their support to the presidential candidate. The sources, across length and breadth of the country, said people don't want a person (who was unable to control the rise in prices of essential commodities) to enjoy the status of the first citizen of the country. Scores of people want Abdul Kalam to become President. But, people have no right to choose the president (although they can express their opinion as a fundamental right). The experts opine that the leaders elected by the people, who are going to elect the President should know the pulse of the people.

(AW Phani)