Election Commission of India has announced biennial elections for 24 Rajya Sabha seats spread across 10 states, with polling scheduled for June 18.
The elections are being conducted to fill vacancies arising from the retirement of several members of the Upper House whose terms are ending in June and July 2026. According to the election schedule released by the Commission, notifications for the polls will be issued on June 1, while the last date for filing nominations has been fixed for June 8.
Scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on June 9 and candidates will be allowed to withdraw nominations until June 11. Voting will be conducted on June 18 between 9 am and 4 pm, while counting will begin at 5 pm on the same day. The entire election process is expected to conclude by June 20.
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Several senior leaders set to retire
The upcoming elections are politically significant as several prominent leaders are completing their Rajya Sabha terms. Among those retiring are former Prime Minister H. D. Deve Gowda, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh and veteran Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader Shibu Soren.
Election Commission of India announces biennial elections to the Council of States for 24 seats from 10 states.
Polling and counting of votes will be held on June 18, while the election process will conclude on June 20. pic.twitter.com/YH5s27FE7L
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 22, 2026
The seats going to polls are distributed across Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Manipur, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram.
Four members each are retiring from Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Karnataka, while Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan will witness elections for three seats each.
Jharkhand will see elections for two seats, including one currently vacant following the death of Shibu Soren in August 2025. Single seats from Manipur, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram will also go to polls.
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ECI issues polling guidelines
The Election Commission said observers would be deployed to closely monitor the electoral process and ensure free and fair elections.
The poll body also specified that only integrated violet-coloured sketch pens supplied by the Returning Officer would be allowed for marking ballot preferences during voting. Use of any other pen during the election process will not be permitted.
The Rajya Sabha elections are expected to trigger political negotiations and alliance calculations across several states, especially where ruling parties and opposition blocs remain closely matched in legislative strength.
