New Delhi, March 16: The biennial elections for 37 Rajya Sabha seats will take place today across ten states. Voting is scheduled from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with counting of votes starting at 5:00 PM.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has prepared a comprehensive plan to ensure the smooth conduct of the electoral process. Elections are being held for the Rajya Sabha seats in states including Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh.
The terms of members from Maharashtra (seven seats), Tamil Nadu (six), Bihar and West Bengal (five each), Odisha (four), Assam (three), and two each from Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and Haryana, along with one from Himachal Pradesh, are set to expire in April. Thus, these biennial elections are being conducted to fill the vacancies in the upper house.
The Election Commission announced the schedule for these elections on February 18. Notable members whose terms are ending include Union Ministers Ramnath Thakur and Ramdas Athawale, Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Harivansh Narayan Singh, NCP-SP leader Sharad Pawar, RLMP’s Upendra Kushwaha, Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi, AIADMK leader M. Thambidurai, and DMK leader Tiruchi Shiva.
The Commission has mandated that only the purple sketch pen provided by the returning officer should be used for marking preferences on the ballot. No other pen will be allowed for voting. Additionally, the Commission stated that observers will be appointed to closely monitor the election process to ensure it is conducted freely and fairly.
It is important to note that while the Lok Sabha has a five-year term and can be dissolved, the Rajya Sabha is a permanent house that continues to function without interruption. Members of the upper house serve a six-year term, with one-third of the members retiring every two years. Elections are held to fill these vacant positions, ensuring continuity and experience in the house.