ECI Announces Schedule for Rajya Sabha Biennial Elections to 37 Seats

New Delhi, Feb 2026 : The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday announced the schedule for the biennial elections to the Rajya Sabha, the Council of States, to fill 37 seats that will fall vacant from 10 states as the terms of sitting members conclude in April 2026.

According to the Commission, polling for the elections will be held on March 16, between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. The counting of votes will take place on the same day at 5:00 p.m., ensuring a swift and time-bound completion of the electoral process. The ECI said all necessary arrangements are being put in place to conduct the polls in a free, fair, and transparent manner.

The Commission outlined a detailed election timetable in view of the upcoming vacancies. The official notification for the elections will be issued on February 26. The last date for filing nomination papers has been fixed as March 5, while scrutiny of nominations will be carried out on March 6. Candidates wishing to withdraw their nominations may do so until March 9.

To maintain uniformity and transparency in the voting process, the ECI specified that only integrated violet sketch pens of pre-determined specifications, supplied by the Returning Officer, will be permitted for marking preferences on the ballot papers. No other writing instruments will be allowed, the Commission clarified, stressing strict adherence to the prescribed voting procedure.

The Commission also announced that election observers will be deployed to oversee the entire process and ensure compliance with election laws and guidelines. These observers will monitor polling and counting to safeguard the integrity and impartiality of the Rajya Sabha elections.

The members whose terms are coming to an end represent the states of Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Telangana. Among the prominent leaders retiring from the Upper House are Upendra Kushwaha, Priyanka Chaturvedi, Tiruchi Siva, Saket Gokhale, Ramdas Athawale, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Sharadchandra Govindrao Pawar, Bhagwat Kishanrao Karad, Mamata Mohanta, Rameswar Teli, Indu Bala Goswami, Kavi Tejpal Singh Tulsi, N. R. Elango, Amarendra Dhari Singh, and Kiran Choudhry.

Emphasising the importance of procedural discipline, the ECI said all stakeholders must strictly comply with election-related rules and guidelines. The Commission reiterated that the entire election process would be completed within the prescribed timeline to uphold the credibility and sanctity of the Rajya Sabha elections.