Rajya Sabha Polls 2026: Election commission annocunces date for Upper House elections | India News
New Delhi: Elections to 24 Rajya Sabha seats across 10 states will be held on June 18, the Election Commission announced on Friday. According to the Election Commission, the vacancies are arising due to retirement of sitting members between June 21 and July 19Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Karnataka will have four seats each in the elections; three each in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan; Two in Jharkhand; and one seat each in Manipur, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram.The last date for submission of nomination papers is June 8, EC said.Polling for the Rajya Sabha elections will take place between 9 am and 4 pm, with counting beginning at 5 pm on the same day. The Election Commission said that the entire voting process will be completed by June 20.The Commission has clarified that voters will only be allowed to use the integrated violet sketch pen provided by the Returning Officer to mark the choice on the ballot paper. No other pen can be used during voting.The ECI also said that observers will be deployed and other necessary measures will be taken to ensure free and fair elections.Elections are being held for seats across Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Arunachal Pradesh, Karnataka and Mizoram.Several prominent leaders are set to retire from the Upper House, including veteran Madhya Pradesh Congress leader Digvijay Singh and Karnataka Congress president Mallikarjun Kharg along with former prime minister HD Deve Gowda.Polling will also be held for the Rajya Sabha seat previously held by JMM founder Shibu Soren from Jharkhand, which has been lying vacant since August 2025 after his death.Other members who have completed their terms include Ayodhya Rami Reddy Alla, Pillai Subhas Chandra Bose, Rambhai Harjibhai Mokaria, George Kurian, Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba, Wanweiroy Kharlukhi, Neeraj Dangi, Rajendra Gehlot, Nabam Rebia, Erana Kadadi and K Vanalalvena.The Rajya Sabha, or Council of States, is the upper house of Parliament whose members are elected by the state and union territory legislators through proportional representation.
