ECI Announces March 16 Poll for 37 Rajya Sabha Seats Across 10 States
ECI Announces March 16 Poll for 37 Rajya Sabha Seats Across 10 States
Election Commission sets polling on March 16 (9 am-4 pm) with counting at 5 pm for 37 Rajya Sabha seats across 10 states, as nominations open soon.
The Election Commission of India has announced biennial elections to 37 Rajya Sabha seats spread across 10 states, with voting scheduled for March 16 from 9 am to 4 pm and counting to follow later the same day. The process aims to fill vacancies that will arise in April 2026, and the entire election cycle is expected to wrap up by March 20. Notifications will be issued on February 26, nominations open soon, and the last date for filing is March 5. Scrutiny of nominations will take place on March 6, with candidates allowed to withdraw until March 9.
The state-wise distribution includes Maharashtra (7), Odisha (4), Tamil Nadu (6), West Bengal (5), Assam (3), Bihar (5), Chhattisgarh (2), Haryana (2), Himachal Pradesh (1) and Telangana (2). These figures outline how each state's seats will be contested in the upcoming biennial poll. Notable retirees expected to retire at the end of the current term include Sharad Pawar, Union minister Ramdas Athawale, Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi, TMC leader Saket Gokhale, and Rajya Sabha deputy chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh, signaling possible shifts in the upper house balance. The last Rajya Sabha elections were held in 2020, when the BJP-led coalition secured a strong foothold in several key states, shaping the current composition.
During the process, the Election Commission has also issued voting instructions, directing that only integrated violet sketch pens provided by the Returning Officer be used to mark preferences on ballot papers, underscoring the emphasis on standardized procedures to ensure smooth and transparent voting. With proceedings occurring in the national capital amid the Budget Session, this round of elections is watched closely for its potential impact on parliamentary dynamics in the months ahead.
