Election Commission Issues Notification for Rajya Sabha Polls to Fill 37 Upcoming Vacancies; Check the Schedule
Rajya Sabha members are elected by the elected members of state legislative assemblies through a system of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote.
New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday formally issued the notification for the biennial elections to fill 37 vacant seats in the Rajya Sabha, the council of states, across 10 states as the terms of sitting members expire in April 2026.
According to the notification, polling will be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and the rules framed thereunder. The elections are necessitated as the terms of several members of the upper house of Parliament are set to expire in the coming weeks.
The commission has fixed March 5 as the last date for filing nominations. Scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on March 6, while candidates can withdraw their candidature until March 9. Polling, if required, will be held on March 16 between 9 am and 4 pm at the respective state legislative assembly premises. Counting of votes will be taken up immediately after polling and results declared the same day.
Rajya Sabha members are elected by the elected members of state legislative assemblies through a system of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote. The tenure of a Rajya Sabha member is six years, with one-third of the members retiring every two years.
The number of seats going to polls varies from state to state depending on the vacancies arising due to retirement. Political parties have begun internal consultations to finalise their candidates, keeping in view the strength of their legislative party in the respective assemblies.
The election commission has also directed chief electoral officers and returning officers concerned to ensure that the model code of conduct, where applicable, and all related procedures are strictly followed during the conduct of the polls.
The Rajya Sabha, the council of states, is the upper house of India’s Parliament and plays a key role in legislative scrutiny, debate and federal representation.
