The Election Commission announced biennial elections for 37 seats of the Rajya Sabha in 10 states. Seven seats in Maharashtra, six seats in Tamil Nadu, five seats each in Bihar and West Bengal, four seats in Odisha, three seats in Assam, two seats each in Telangana, Chhattisgarh and Haryana, and one seat in Himachal Pradesh are falling vacant. The notification for the polls will be issued on the 26th of this month, and nominations can be filed till 5th March.

 

Polling will be held on the 16th of March. Union Ministers Ramnath Thakur and Ramdas Athawale, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, NCP-SP leader Sharad Pawar, RLM leader Upendra Kushwaha, Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi, AIADMK leader M Thambidurai, and DMK leader Tiruchi Shiva are among those who are completing their tenure in the Upper House in April. 

 

The Election Commission has directed that only integrated violet-coloured sketch pens of pre-fixed specification, provided by the Returning Officer, shall be used for the purpose of marking preferences on the ballot paper. It said no other pen shall be used for marking preferences in the Rajya Sabha elections. The Poll Body said that adequate measures for close monitoring of the election process by appointing observers shall be taken to ensure a free and fair election.