New Delhi, March 16: The biennial elections for 37 Rajya Sabha seats are taking place today across ten states. Voting will be conducted from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with the counting of votes starting at 5:00 PM.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has prepared a detailed schedule to ensure the smooth conduct of the electoral process. Elections are being held for 37 seats in the Rajya Sabha, with seven seats from Maharashtra, six from Tamil Nadu, five each from Bihar and West Bengal, four from Odisha, three from Assam, two each from Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and Haryana, and one from Himachal Pradesh. The terms of these Rajya Sabha members are set to expire in April, necessitating these elections to fill the vacancies in the upper house.
The Election Commission announced the schedule for these biennial elections on February 18. Notable members whose terms are ending include Union Minister Ramnath Thakur, Ramdas Athawale, Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Harivansh Narayan Singh, NCP-SP’s 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 voters use only the purple sketch pen provided by the returning officer to mark their preferences on the ballot. No other pen will be allowed for voting. Additionally, the Commission will appoint observers to closely monitor the electoral process to ensure it is conducted freely and fairly.
It is noteworthy that the Lok Sabha has a term of five years and can be dissolved, while the Rajya Sabha is a permanent house that functions continuously. Members of the upper house serve a term of six years, 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.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
