Jharkhand Among 10 States Heading to Rajya Sabha Polls on June 18

New Delhi (IANS): The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday announced the biennial election schedule to fill 24 Rajya Sabha seats, which will become vacant when members retire in June and July 2026.

The Commission noted that 24 Rajya Sabha members from 10 states will complete their tenures during this June-July period.

Prominent leaders completing their terms include Digvijaya Singh (Madhya Pradesh), and H.D. Deve Gowda and Mallikarjun Kharge (Karnataka). The Commission will also hold an election for the Jharkhand seat that the late Shibu Soren held, which has remained vacant since August 4, 2025.

Other retiring members include Ayodhya Rami Reddy Alla, Pilli Subhaschandra Bose, Rambhai Harjibhai Mokariya, George Kurian, Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba, Wanweiroy Kharlukhi, Neeraj Dangi, Rajendra Gehlot, Nabam Rebia, Iranna Kadadi, and K. Vanlalvena.

According to the ECI’s released schedule, the Commission will issue election notifications on June 1 and has fixed June 8 as the deadline for filing nominations. Authorities will scrutinize nominations on June 9, and candidates may withdraw their names until June 11.

Voters will cast their ballots on June 18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and officials will begin counting votes at 5 p.m. that same day. The Commission expects to complete the entire election process by June 20.

The Commission mandates that voters use only the integrated, violet-coloured sketch pens that the Returning Officer provides to mark their preferences on the ballot papers. The ECI prohibits any other pen during voting.

To ensure free and fair elections, the ECI will implement adequate measures, including appointing observers to closely monitor the process.

The elections will cover seats in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Arunachal Pradesh, Karnataka, and Mizoram.

The Rajya Sabha, or the Council of States, serves as the Upper House of Parliament. Elected representatives of the states and union territories choose these members through a system of proportional representation.