Five Points Explainer: How Congress Prez To Be Elected, How It Plays Out

New Delhi: After over two decards, Congress Party is set to see a new face as its chief with the two senior leaders– Mallikarjun Kharge and Shashi Tharoor are in fray.

Obviously, there are no surprising candidates in the race but this election will definitely mean the year-old party’s significance in the upcoming 2024 elections.

Reportedly, there is no official candidate for the Congress President. It is likely the Gandhis may not vote in the internal election to maintain their neutrality.

But as per the political scenario said that Gandhis have backed Kharge for the post after Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot and senior leader Digvijay Singh stepped back.

Though the backdrop support from Gandhis may help Kharge to fight with Shashi Tharoor, the Thiruvananthapuram MP is considered the most deserving candidate for the post.

The procedure for the election is a noteworthy one to be considered and it needs the major leaders’ participation from every corner of the country.

How does the Congress election take place?

1. The election to the post of Congress president is governed by Article XVIII of the Congress constitution. The process involves the Block Congress Committees, which elect delegates to the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC), who in turn elect delegates to the AICC.
2. Delegates to the AICC include former PCC presidents who have held office for at least a year and continue to be members of the party. After the process of nominations for the post of party president has concluded, the chairman of the party’s Central Election Authority will publish the names of the candidates who will be in the fray.
3. Any 10 Congress delegates can propose the name of any delegate for the post, and those who do not withdraw their candidacy within seven days will be in the race for the post and their names will appear on the ballot.
4. If only one candidate remains after withdrawal of nominations, the person shall be declared elected. The election takes place at the PCC headquarters of each state. The counting of votes is done under single transferable vote, and the candidate with highest number of votes is declared president.
5. There are around 9,000 delegates in the electoral college of the party who are eligible to vote in the polls.

The last date for withdrawal of nominations for the Congress presidential poll is October 8, with the final list of candidates set to be published at 5pm the same day.

The polling, if needed, will be held on October 17. The counting of votes will be taken up on October 19 and the results will be declared the same day.