The Election Commission of India held indirect seventh
presidential elections of India on 6 August 1977. Even though 37 candidates filed their nominations, 36 of them were rejected, leading to
Neelam Sanjiva Reddy
Neelam Sanjiva Reddy (19 May 1913 – 1 June 1996) was an Indian politician who served as the president of India, serving from 1977 to 1982. Beginning a long political career with the Indian National Congress Party in the independence movem ...
being one of the two Presidents of India winning unopposed.
Background
After the death of the sitting president,
Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed
Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed (13 May 1905 – 11 February 1977) was an Indian lawyer and politician who served as the President of India from 1974 to 1977.
Born in Delhi, Ahmed studied in Delhi and Cambridge and was called to the bar from the Inner ...
, on 11 February 1977,
the vice-president
B. D. Jatti took charge as acting President.
[ An election to the office of President was required to be held within 6 months of the date of the vacancy.
The Electoral College consisted of the members of Lok Sabha (524), Rajya Sabha (232) and 22 state Legislative Assemblies (3776), all together totalling 4532 electors.][
]
Schedule
The election schedule was announced by the Election Commission of India
The Election Commission of India (ECI) is a constitutional body established by Constitution of India, the Constitution of the Republic of India empowered to conduct free and fair elections in the Republic of India. It is headed by a Chief Ele ...
on 4 July 1977.
References
{{Indian presidential elections
1977 elections in India
Presidential elections in India
Uncontested elections