59 Arunachal MLAs cast votes to elect new President of India

COUR CORRESPONDENT

ITANAGAR: A total of 59 MLAs out of 60 in Arunachal Pradesh exercised their franchise to elect the new President of India, Assembly secretary K Habung said.

Chief Minister Pema Khandu and his deputy Chowna Mein were among the early ones to cast votes at Nokmey Namati Hall of the Assembly, Habung stated.

BJP lawmaker Lokam Tassar did not turn up.

Taking to Twitter, Khandu said, "One of India's most defining moments. Privileged to cast my vote for 16th presidential election in State Assembly premises today."

All four Congress MLAs, including, former Chief Minister Nabam Tuki, also cast their votes.

NDA presidential candidate Draupadi Murmu and joint Opposition nominee Yashwant Sinha are the two contenders for the office of the President.

In Arunachal Pradesh, the ruling BJP has 48 MLAs in the 60-member Assembly while the Opposition Congress and National People's Party (NPP) have four each, JD (U) has one.

The House also has three Independents as members.

The four NPP MLAs and the lone JD (U) member, along with the three Independents, have pledged their support to Murmu.

Arunachal Pradesh has two Lok Sabha MPs - Union Law and Justice Minister Kiren Rijiju and Tapir Gao - and one Upper House member, Nabam Rebia.

The vote value of each MP is 700 across the country.

MLAs in Arunachal Pradesh have a vote value of eight each, Habung said.

The BJP presidential candidate is expected to score 2,576 votes in the State, having secured the backing of NPP, JD(U) and Independents, and Sinha 32 votes, with the support of the Congress.

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