Preparations for the presidential elections -- for both the President of India and Vice President of India -- have begun with the Election Commission asking the Secretary Generals of the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha to initiate the process to hold the polls in July 2017. The Vice President elections will be held in August.

The Election Commission has designated the Secretary Generals of both the Houses and the  Returning Officers for the Presidential polls.


In pursuant to the directions from the EC, two rooms have been allocated specially for the elections inside Parliament House for officials to begin the process. By early April there will be a circular issued to all secretaries of the state assemblies who will function as Returning Officers.


Incumbent President Pranab Mukherjee's term ends on July 25 and the elections have to be held before that. Mukherjee is eligible for re-election as no term limit exists.