According to a press note released on Wednesday, the tenure of 37 members elected from Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Telangana will end in April, thereby vacating the seats for fresh elections
The last date for filing nominations is March 5, with scrutiny scheduled for the following day. Representational pic
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday announced the schedule for the forthcoming biennial elections to the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) to fill 37 seats across 10 states, as the sitting members are set to complete their term in April 2026, news agency ANI reported.
According to a press note released on Wednesday, the tenure of 37 members elected from Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Telangana will end in April, thereby vacating the seats for fresh elections.
The notification for the elections will be issued on February 26, marking the commencement of the poll process, ANI reported. The last date for filing nominations is March 5, with scrutiny scheduled for the following day. Candidates may withdraw their nominations by March 9. Polling will be held on March 16, and counting of votes will take place on the same day at 5 pm. The entire election process will be completed by March 20.
ECI has directed that only integrated violet colour sketch pens of pre-fixed specification, supplied by the Returning Officer, shall be used for marking preferences on the ballot paper.
"The Commission has directed that only integrated violet colour sketch pen(s) of pre-fixed specification, provided by the Returning Officer, shall be used for the purpose of marking preference(s) on the ballot paper. No other pen shall be used for marking preferences in the above said elections," the press note stated.
The poll body further emphasised that adequate measures, including the appointment of observers, must be undertaken to ensure the smooth and fair conduct of the elections.
ECI launches EVM-VVPAT awareness drive across five poll-bound states
Meanwhile, ECI has launched an extensive awareness campaign on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) units across poll-bound states and Union Territories, namely Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, to familiarise electors with their functioning.
According to the ECI press note, more than 1.20 lakh electors took part in camps at EVM Demonstration Centres (EDCs) across five states and UTs, while over 1.16 lakh electors cast mock votes during these demonstrations. As on February 10, more than 29,000 Polling Station Locations (PSLs) have been covered by Mobile Demonstration Vans (MDVs).
The awareness drive is being carried out through EDCs and MDVs in a structured and time-bound manner, ECI said.
(With ANI inputs)
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