NEW DELHI, June 5: Indian election officials on Thursday set a date next month for a presidential election that has drawn an unusual cast of contenders. reports AP.

The hopefuls, who began campaigning in recent weeks, include a grand daughter of independence leader Mohandas Gandhi; a political reformer known for his unpresidential temper: and — the front runner — an ex-diplomat who comes from India's lowest social caste, the untouchables.

Current President Shanker Dayal Sharma's 5-year term a fires July 24, and he has not d if he will seek another. On Thursday, India's Chief Election Commissioner announced that the presidential vote will be held on July 14. Candidates will have to file their nominations by June 23. said Commissioner Manohar Singh Gill.

The candidates this year reflect the shifting center of gravity in Indian politics, away from the highborn elite of northern India toward the traditionally disenfranchised minority. Among them are:

— Vice President K R Narayanan, born in a village in southern India, he comes from the untouchable caste.

Narayanan is a mild, self-effacing former university professor. diplomat and legislator. One of the few politicians unsullied by controversy or scan-

dal, he is favored by the Congress Party and liked by United Front coalition's Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral.

— Sumitra Gandhi-Kulkarni. political novitiate whose main plus is her maiden name and cheerful disposition. She was a member of parliament briefly in the 1970s. No woman has ever served as India's president.

Mrs Gandhi-Kulkarni says she wants to inject the high ethics preached by her grandfather — who always shunned public office even though he was the most influential Indian of his time — into today's politics.

The daughter of Gandhi's eldest son says that the first citizen can influence politics by setting an example.

"I am not affiliated to any party, so 1 am above politics." she said.

— TN Seshan, who was credited with reducing fraud as chief election commissioner from 1991-96. But during that same period, his unpredictable tantrums and dictatorial style outraged most politicians.

The former bureaucrat from southern India is lobbying local leaders for support in several states.

The president is elected by state and federal legislators — election commission on Thursday said that voters are not bound by their party whips and cannot be punished for voting as they choose