Vice Presidential Election 2017: Venkaiah Naidu will be India's next vice president. (PTI)
M Venkaiah Naidu, the candidate of the ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance, will be India's 13th Vice President. Mr Naidu received 516 votes defeating the opposition's candidate, Gopalkrishna Gandhi, who got 244 votes. A total of 771 out of 785 parliamentarians voted in the election. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was one of the first to congratulate Mr Naidu on his victory. 90 per cent votes were polled within the first two hours, till 12 pm.
Here are the highlights of the Vice President Election 2017:
Venkaiah Naidu will be next vice presidentNaidu gets 516 votes against opposition candidate Gopalkrishna Gandhi's 244, says election officer Shemsher K
Two BJP leaders - Sanwarlal Jat and Vijay Goel - are hospitalised and could not vote, BJP leaders said.
The counting will begin at 6 pm and the result would be out by 7.15 pm.
Voting for Vice Presidential Election ends
771 out of 785 MPs voted in the election, 98.21% poll percentage recorded
A total of 96.94 per cent votes have been polled till 3 pm, Assistant Returning Officer Mukul Pandey said, news agency PTI reported. A total of 761 votes out of 785 votes have been polled till 3 pm, news agency ANI reported.
Over 90 Per Cent Voting Till 1300 Hours
More than 90 per cent votes in the vice presidential election had been cast by 1 pm, the assistant returning officer said today, news agency PTI reported. According to Mukul Pandey, the assistant returning officer of the vice presidential polls, 713 of 785 electors had voted by 1 pm, recording 90.83 per cent voting. "Earlier in the morning, the first hour recorded a sizeable turnout of MPs waiting to cast their vote," Mr Pandey said.
"Not only here but whenever voting takes place, every citizen should vote," Rajya Sabha parliamentarian Sachin Tendulkar said after casting his vote.
"Everybody loves him a lot. He is most capable and knows the entire parliament, the whole politics," BJP parliamentarian Hema Malini said.
"The picture will be clear by this evening," Home Minister Rajnath Singh said.
Sonia Gandhi Casts VoteCongress President Sonia Gandhi has cast her vote in the vice presidential election. She was accompanied by Gopalkrishna Gandhi, the joint opposition candidate. Unlike NDA's candidate Venkaiah Naidu, who is a member of the Rajya Sabha, Gopalkrishna Gandhi is not a member of either of House of parliament, and hence cannot vote in the election. He is being supported by 19 parties, including the Janata Dal (United) and the Aam Aadmi Party.
Union minister Nitin Gadkari casts his vote in the vice presidential election.
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi and Congress parliamentarians Jyotiraditya Scindia, Deepender Singh Hooda and Sushmita Dev have cast their vote.
"I think we will miss him [M Venkaiah Naidu] in one place, but you will see more in action in another place," said Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.
PM Modi, Venkaiah Naidu and Yogi Adityanath Cast Votes
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Venkaiah Naidu and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were among the first to cast their vote. PM Modi was seen standing in queue even before the voting hall was opened at 10 am, news agency PTI reported.
M Venkaiah Naidu arrives at parliament.
'Fight Based On Constitutional Principles': Gopalkrishna Gandhi
"It is a fight based on constitutional principles, where I maintained complete civility and the same has been done from other side too," the opposition's vice presidential candidate Gopalkrishna Gandhi said.
Vice-Presidential Election 2017: Results will be declared by evening.
Voting begins. Lawmakers arrive in Parliament to cast their votes.
'Non-Party Man'"I am a non-party man," the NDA's vice presidential candidate M Venkaiah Naidu said. "A majority of political parties are supporting me... I am not contesting against anybody; I am contesting for the Vice President post. This election is for a constitutional post. It is better to avoid talking about politics," Mr Naidu said. "I am known to all members and they know me, that's the reason I didn't campaign. I have written letters to everybody and got a good response. I'm confident that all will support me," he said.
M Venkaiah Naidu, wife Usha, daughter Deepa Venkat and granddaughter Sushma during a candid meeting with reporters (PTI)
Members of Parliament will use special pens for marking their choice in the election to be held between 10 am and 5 pm today.