New Delhi: The Election Commission of India has announced biennial elections for 24 Rajya Sabha seats across 10 states, with polling scheduled for June 18.
The elections are being conducted to fill vacancies arising from the retirement of members of the Upper House whose terms are ending in June and July this year. The poll process will begin with the issuance of notifications 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 their nominations until June 11. Voting is scheduled between 9 am and 4 pm on June 18, followed by counting at 5 pm the same day. The entire election process is expected to conclude by June 20.
The Election Commission said special integrated violet coloured sketch pens supplied by returning officers will be used for marking preferences on ballot papers, and the use of any other pen will not be permitted. Observers will also be deployed to monitor the elections and ensure a free and fair process.
The Rajya Sabha seats going to polls are spread across Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Arunachal Pradesh, Karnataka and Mizoram.
Among the prominent leaders retiring from the Upper House are former Prime Minister H. D. Deve Gowda, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha patriarch Shibu Soren.
Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Karnataka will each witness elections for four seats, while Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan will see polling for three seats each. Jharkhand has two seats falling vacant, including one left vacant after the death of Shibu Soren last year. Single seats from Manipur, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram will also go to polls.
