Ethnic minority woman likely to be voted Indian president

NEW DELHI (AP) — Lawmakers are voting for India’s next president in an election expected to be won by a woman from India’s ruling party who hails from a minority ethnic community. The election of Draupadi Murmu is a formality as the Bharatiya Janata Party controls enough seats in federal and state legislatures to push its favored candidate. She is also likely to get the support of other regional parties in state assemblies. The president’s role is largely ceremonial but the position can be important during times of political uncertainty. The votes from Monday’s election will be counted Thursday. If elected, Murmu will become the first president from one of the country’s tribes and the second-ever female president of India. She is a member of the Santal ethnic minority.