Phoolka, who has handled several 1984 anti-Sikh riots cases, has said he would abstain as he cannot vote with the Congress.The electoral college for the election comprises elected members of the two houses of Parliament as also of legislative assemblies. Election will be by secret ballot and in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of single transferable vote.There are no whips issued in the presidential election. While MPs will be given green ballot paper, MLAs will be given one that is pink.The electors have to mark the ballot only with a particular pen given to them at the polling station along with the ballot paper.In the last presidential election in 2012, Pranab Mukherjee had defeated P.A. The Assistant Returning Officers will also furnish an account of the total votes cast in their states.They said that the seal of ballot boxes will be opened on Aug 20 in the presence of representatives of the two candidates and the observers of the poll panel. The winning candidate will be given a certificate by the Returning Officer.Officials said that special security arrangements have been made to see that the ballot papers reach Parliament directly from the airport.

Source: Economic Times July 16, 2017 07:36 UTC