The Election Commission of India has announced elections for 24 Rajya Sabha seats across 10 states, with polling scheduled for June 18 and counting of votes to take place on the same day. The elections are being conducted to fill vacancies arising due to the retirement of sitting members between June 21 and July 19.
According to the Election Commission schedule, the last date for filing nominations is June 8, scrutiny of nominations will take place on June 9, and candidates can withdraw nominations until June 11. Polling, if required, will be conducted on June 18 between 9 am and 4 pm, followed by counting from 5 pm onwards.
The elections will be held for seats in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Manipur, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, and Mizoram. Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and Karnataka will elect four members each, while Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan will elect three members each. Jharkhand will vote for two seats, while Manipur, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, and Mizoram will each elect one member.
The Election Commission has also announced by-elections for one Rajya Sabha seat each from Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu on the same day. These vacancies arose after sitting Rajya Sabha members were elected to their respective state assemblies earlier this year.
Several prominent political leaders are among those retiring in this phase, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former Prime Minister H. D. Deve Gowda from Karnataka.
Political parties have already begun internal discussions and candidate selection processes as the Rajya Sabha elections are expected to influence the strength of parties in the Upper House of Parliament. Analysts say the ruling NDA alliance is likely to maintain an advantage in several states because of its current legislative numbers.
Rajya Sabha members are elected indirectly by elected MLAs of state legislative assemblies through the system of proportional representation using the single transferable vote method.
The elections are expected to witness intense political calculations, alliance negotiations, and possible cross-voting battles in closely contested states.
