The Election Commission of India on Friday unveiled the schedule for the biennial Rajya Sabha elections to fill 24 seats that are set to fall vacant across 10 states following the retirement of sitting members in June and July 2026.
According to an official statement issued by the Commission, polling for all 24 seats will take place on June 18, 2026, with vote counting scheduled for 5 pm on the same day. The entire election process is expected to conclude before June 20.
“The term of office of 24 members of the Council of States elected from 10 States is due to expire in June-July 2026,” the Commission said while releasing the detailed election programme.
As per the announced schedule, notifications for the elections will be issued on June 1, while June 8 has been fixed as the last date for filing nominations. Scrutiny of nomination papers will be conducted on June 9, and candidates may withdraw their nominations until June 11.
Polling, wherever necessary, will be held between 9 am and 4 pm on June 18.
The Commission also outlined guidelines for voting, stating that only integrated violet-colour sketch pens supplied by the Returning Officer will be permitted for marking preferences on ballot papers. Use of any other pen will not be allowed.
It further assured that adequate measures would be put in place to ensure free and fair elections under the supervision of appointed observers.
The vacancies arise due to the retirement of Rajya Sabha members from Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Arunachal Pradesh, Karnataka and Mizoram.
Among the notable leaders set to retire are former Prime Minister H. D. Deve Gowda, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha patriarch Shibu Soren, whose seat has remained vacant since August 2025.
Four seats each will go to polls in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Karnataka, while Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh will elect three members each to the Upper House. The remaining states account for one or two vacancies apiece.
The upcoming Rajya Sabha elections are expected to carry significant political weight, especially in states where parties are looking to strengthen their position in the Upper House ahead of crucial legislative contests in Parliament.
EC announces Rajya Sabha poll schedule for 24 seats across 10 states
Election commission of India (Photo: IANS)