New Delhi, October 4 (Daily Kiran) : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has unveiled its candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections scheduled for October 16, 2026, in Uttarakhand and West Bengal. Dinesh Arya will represent Uttarakhand, while Koel Mallick, also known as Rukmini Mallick, will be the candidate from West Bengal.
Dinesh Arya has held various significant positions, including Vice Chairman of the Uttarakhand State Drinking Water Monitoring Council, Public Relations Officer for Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, and former District President of the BJP in Nainital. He is also a National Minister for the Scheduled Front.
Koel Mallick, a well-known actress and politician, is recognized primarily for her contributions to Bengali cinema. She previously served as a Rajya Sabha member from the Trinamool Congress.
The elections will fill one seat in Uttarakhand and ten in Uttar Pradesh, along with a by-election for a vacant seat in West Bengal. Voting will take place on October 16, as the term for 11 Rajya Sabha members from Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand expires in November 2026. Additionally, the seat in West Bengal became vacant after Rukmini Mallick resigned from the Trinamool Congress on July 16, 2026, before her term concluded in April 2032.
The Election Commission has set the last date for filing nominations on October 6. Verification of nomination papers will occur on October 7, and candidates can withdraw their names until October 9. Voting will be held from 9 AM to 4 PM on October 16, with counting of votes starting at 5 PM. The entire election process is expected to conclude by October 19.
In a unique regulation for this election, voters will be required to use an integrated violet-colored sketch pen, provided by the returning officer, to mark their preferences on the ballot paper. No other pen will be permitted to ensure the integrity of the voting process. The Election Commission has also announced the appointment of observers to maintain oversight during the elections.
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