Voting for the biennial elections to 37 seats in the Rajya Sabha will take place on Monday, with polling scheduled from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Counting of votes will begin at 5:00 PM on the same day, according to the Election Commission of India.
Elections are being held to fill 37 seats in the Upper House across 10 states. The distribution includes seven seats from Maharashtra, six from Tamil Nadu, five each from Bihar and West Bengal, and four from Odisha.
Three seats are up for election in Assam, while Telangana, Chhattisgarh and Haryana will each elect two members. One seat is being contested in Himachal Pradesh.
These seats are falling vacant as the terms of the current members from these states are set to expire in April. This necessitates the biennial elections to fill the vacancies.
The Election Commission had announced the schedule for the biennial polls on February 18.
The Commission has laid out detailed arrangements to ensure the smooth conduct of the electoral process.
Among those whose terms are ending in April are Union Ministers Ramnath Thakur and Ramdas Athawale. Also completing their terms is Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh.
The list further includes Sharad Pawar of the NCP-SP, Upendra Kushwaha of the RLM, and Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi. In addition, the terms of AIADMK leader M Thambidurai and DMK leader Tiruchi Siva are set to conclude.
The poll body has directed that only integrated violet-coloured sketch pens of a pre-fixed specification will be used for voting. These pens will be provided by the Returning Officer to mark preferences on the ballot paper. No other pen will be permitted for voting.
Observers will also be appointed to closely monitor the process to ensure the elections are conducted in a free and fair manner.
Unlike the Lok Sabha, which is elected for a five-year term and can be dissolved, the Rajya Sabha is a permanent house that continues to function without interruption.
Members serve a six-year term, with one-third retiring every two years, ensuring continuity and institutional experience in the Upper House.
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