The Election Commission of India has formally announced the election schedule for 27 seats across the Rajya Sabha and state legislative councils, setting June 18 as the date for polling and counting. The elections will cover biennial vacancies in the Upper House of Parliament as well as seats in legislative councils across multiple states.
The notification marks the beginning of another round of indirect elections that will determine representation in the Rajya Sabha and state legislative councils, with lawmakers casting their votes under the proportional representation system.
Election process begins from June 1
According to the schedule released by the Election Commission, the nomination process will commence on June 1. Candidates will have until June 8 to submit their nomination papers, while scrutiny of nominations will be conducted on June 9. The final date for withdrawal of candidature has been fixed as June 11.
According to the Hindustan Times, polling for all seats will take place on June 18 between 8 am and 4 pm. The counting of votes will begin at 5 pm on the same day, allowing results to be declared within hours of voting.
The election programme has been designed to ensure the timely filling of vacancies arising from retiring members and seats that have fallen vacant due to resignations or other reasons.
Also Read | Monsoon pushes deeper into India; heavy rainfall and hailstorm warnings issued
Rajya Sabha seats across states up for election
According to the Hindustan Times, the Election Commission said biennial elections will be conducted for 24 Rajya Sabha seats spread across 10 states. These elections are necessary as the terms of sitting members are scheduled to expire in the coming weeks.
In addition to the regular biennial polls, bye-elections will also be held for vacant Rajya Sabha seats from Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Odisha.
The Rajya Sabha, which represents states and Union Territories in Parliament, undergoes partial renewal every two years, with one-third of its members retiring at the end of their terms.
Also Read | India tightens solar rules to reduce dependence on China
Bihar and Karnataka legislative council polls also scheduled
According to the Hindustan Times, apart from the Rajya Sabha elections, the Commission has announced elections for legislative council seats in Bihar and Karnataka.
Bihar will witness biennial elections for nine seats in the Legislative Council, along with a bye-election for one additional seat. Karnataka, meanwhile, will go to the polls for seven Legislative Council seats.
The upcoming elections are expected to trigger intense political activity in several states as parties work to secure crucial numbers in the Upper House and state legislative bodies. The results could also influence legislative dynamics in both Parliament and the concerned states in the months ahead.
