To contest, candidate must have 50 MPS, MLAs as proposers, another 50 as seconders

Setting in motion the process for the 16th presidential election, the Election Commission on Thursday said anyone desiring to contest would need 50 electors as proposers and 50 others as seconders - a move aimed at weeding out non-serious candidates in these polls that once saw nominations getting rejected for 36 out of total 37 candidates.

NEW DELHI: Besides, the candidate would need to deposit an amount of Rs 15,000 as security.

The security deposit was increased from Rs 2,500 to Rs 15,000 in 1997, when the total numbers of proposers and seconders were also increased from 10 each earlier.

Also, a candidate must be a citizen of India and should have completed the age of 35 years, besides being qualified for election as a member of the House of the People. The President has a term of five years.

According to the Election Commission, a person shall not be eligible for election as President if he or she holds any office of profit under the government of India or the government of any state or under any local or other authority subject to the control of any of the state governments.