New Delhi: The Election Commission of India has formally announced biennial elections to 37 Rajya Sabha seats spread across 10 states, setting the stage for a key round of Upper House contests next month.
As per the notification, the filing of nominations begins today and will continue until March 5. Polling is scheduled for March 16.
The seats going vacant include seven in Maharashtra, six in Tamil Nadu, five each in Bihar and West Bengal, four in Odisha, three in Assam, two each in Telangana, Chhattisgarh and Haryana, and one in Himachal Pradesh.
Several prominent leaders are set to complete their tenure in April. Among them are Union Ministers Ramnath Thakur and Ramdas Athawale, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, NCP-SP chief Sharad Pawar, RLM leader Upendra Kushwaha, senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi, AIADMK’s M. Thambidurai, and DMK’s Tiruchi Siva.
In a detailed directive, the poll body mandated that only integrated violet-coloured sketch pens of a pre-fixed specification—supplied by the Returning Officer—must be used by legislators to mark their preferences on ballot papers. The Commission clarified that use of any other pen would render the vote invalid.
To ensure transparency and fairness, the Election Commission said it will deploy observers and put in place stringent monitoring mechanisms during the electoral process.
The upcoming biennial polls are expected to influence the political arithmetic in the Upper House, especially in states where party strengths are closely contested.
