New Delhi, March 16: Today marks the biennial elections for 37 Rajya Sabha seats across ten states. Voting will take place from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with counting of votes commencing at 5:00 PM.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has established a comprehensive plan to ensure the smooth conduct of the electoral process. Elections are being held for Rajya Sabha seats in ten states.
Specifically, seven seats are up for grabs in Maharashtra, six in Tamil Nadu, five each in Bihar and West Bengal, four in Odisha, three in Assam, and two each in Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and Haryana, with one seat in Himachal Pradesh. The terms of the current Rajya Sabha members from these states will end in April, necessitating these elections to fill the vacancies in the upper house.
The ECI announced the schedule for these biennial elections on February 18. Notable members whose terms are expiring 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 Election Commission has mandated that voters use only the purple sketch pens provided by the returning officer to mark their preferences on the ballot. No other pens will be allowed for voting. Additionally, the Commission has stated that observers will be appointed to closely monitor the electoral process, ensuring that the elections are conducted in a free and fair manner.
It is important to note that the Lok Sabha has a five-year term and can be dissolved, whereas the Rajya Sabha is a permanent house that operates continuously. Members of the upper house serve six-year terms, with one-third of the members retiring every two years. Elections are held to fill these vacant positions, ensuring continuity and experience within the house.
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