Rajya Sabha Elections 2026: Voting on March 16 for 37 Seats Across 10 States
Election Process Across 10 States to Conclude by March 20
NEW DELHI, Feb 18: The Election Commission of India on Wednesday declared the schedule for biennial elections to the Rajya Sabha, with polling for 37 seats across 10 states set to be held on March 16, 2026. Counting will take place later the same day.
The vacancies arise as the terms of 37 sitting members of the Upper House are due to end in April 2026, triggering the process for partial reconstitution of the Council of States.
Key Dates and Procedure
As per the official notification, the election process will commence with the issuance of notifications on February 26. The deadline for filing nominations is March 5, while scrutiny of papers will be conducted on March 6. Candidates may withdraw their nominations until March 9.
Voting will take place between 9 am and 4 pm on March 16, with counting scheduled to begin at 5 pm. The Commission has stated that the entire process will be completed by March 20.
To ensure uniformity and transparency, only integrated violet sketch pens supplied by the Returning Officer will be permitted for marking ballot preferences.
States Going to Polls
The 37 vacancies are distributed among 10 states. Maharashtra accounts for the highest number with seven seats, followed by multiple retirements in Tamil Nadu and Odisha. Other states witnessing vacancies include West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Telangana.
The Commission said observers will be appointed to oversee proceedings and ensure compliance with election guidelines, reaffirming its commitment to conducting free and fair polls.
