New Delhi ( CNN ) -- Indian lawmakers cast ballots Thursday to elect a new president for the South Asian democracy , with the ruling party 's candidate considered the almost-certain winner . That candidate , Pranab Mukherjee , is a veteran politician and a former finance minister . Mukherjee 's rival is opposition-backed candidate P.A . Sangma , a former speaker of the Indian parliament . Indian presidents are elected through an electoral college made up of more than 4,800 federal and state lawmakers . The result from Thursday 's vote are expected to be announced Sunday . Blog : What happened to 'Incredible India ' ? In India , the president is head of state while the prime minister heads the government . Still , the Indian presidents , in their largely ceremonial position , hold considerable power as the supreme commander of the country 's armed forces and custodian of the national constitution , political commentator K.G . Suresh explained . The new president could play a key role in deciding who forms the next government in case the next general elections , due in 2014 , result in a split parliament , analysts say . `` Now we have a coalition era . We do not know in 2014 , when the parliament election takes place , which party would be able to get a clear majority , '' Suresh said . `` If it does n't happen , the president of India has to then take a call as to whom to invite ( to form the government ) within the parameters of the constitution of India . '' Prime minister Manmohan Singh was among voters who cast their ballots Thursday . The new president will replace Pratibha Devisingh Patil , the first woman to hold the post . Mukherjee was named the presidential candidate by the ruling United Progressive Alliance headed by Sonia Gandhi , who is also the chief of India 's Congress Party .
Results from the elections by federal and state lawmakers in Delhi are expected Sunday . The presidency is a largely ceremonial post , but does have some power . Pranab Singh of the ruling United Progressive Alliance is expected to win election .