22 May,2026 11:11 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
File Photo
The Election Commission of India on Friday announced by-elections to two vacant Rajya Sabha seats from Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.
The vacancies arose following the resignations of two sitting members from the Upper House earlier this month, according to a press note issued by the Commission.
The Maharashtra seat fell vacant after the resignation of Sunetra Pawar on May 6. Her tenure in the Rajya Sabha was originally scheduled to continue till July 4, 2028.
The second vacancy is from Tamil Nadu following the resignation of C. Ve. Shanmugam on May 7. His term was set to continue until June 29, 2028.
The Election Commission said the bypolls are being conducted to ensure representation for both states in the Upper House for the remainder of the members' terms.
According to the schedule announced by the poll panel, the notification for the by-elections will be issued on June 1.
The last date for filing nominations has been fixed as June 8, while scrutiny of nomination papers will be carried out on June 9.
Candidates will be allowed to withdraw their nominations till June 11.
Polling for both Rajya Sabha seats will be conducted on June 18 between 9 am and 4 pm, while counting of votes will begin at 5 pm on the same day.
The Election Commission said the entire election process would be completed by June 20.
The Commission also issued detailed instructions regarding the voting process to be followed during the Rajya Sabha bypolls.
It stated that only integrated violet-coloured sketch pens of pre-fixed specifications supplied by the Returning Officer would be permitted for marking preferences on ballot papers.
"The use of any other pen will not be allowed under any circumstances," the Commission said.
Rajya Sabha elections are conducted through an indirect voting process in which elected MLAs cast votes using the system of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote.
The Election Commission said adequate arrangements would be made to ensure free, fair and transparent elections in both states.
Observers will be deployed to closely monitor the entire electoral process, including polling and counting procedures, the Commission added.
The bypolls are expected to attract political attention in Maharashtra, where recent political developments within the Nationalist Congress Party have led to discussions over leadership and organisational changes following Sunetra Pawar's resignation from the Upper House.
(With inputs from Agencies)
