ECI Announces Rajya Sabha Elections for 24 Seats on June 18, 2026

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced that biennial elections for 24 seats in the Rajya Sabha, the Upper House of the Indian Parliament, will be held on June 18, 2026. This significant announcement also includes by-elections for two additional Rajya Sabha seats in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, with polling scheduled for the same date. The announcement was made by the ECI on Friday, May 22, 2026, marking a crucial development in India's political landscape. These elections are necessitated by the upcoming retirement of 24 members from 10 different states between June 21 and July 19, 2026. The states where biennial elections will take place include Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and Karnataka (each with four seats), Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh (each with three seats), Jharkhand (two seats), and Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, and Mizoram (each with one seat). This process will see a considerable shift in the composition of the Rajya Sabha, as new members are elected to represent these states. Among the prominent figures whose terms are ending and necessitating these elections are former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, and veteran politician Digvijay Singh. These individuals, who have played significant roles in Indian politics, are among those whose retirements are paving the way for new representatives in the Upper House. It is important to note that while some search results from 2020 mentioned Deve Gowda and Kharge being elected at that time, the current news on May 22, 2026, refers to their terms *ending* in 2026, leading to the current round of elections. In addition to the biennial elections, by-elections will be held for two Rajya Sabha seats. One seat in Maharashtra fell vacant following the resignation of Sunetra Pawar on May 6, 2026. Pawar's resignation came after her victory in the Baramati assembly by-election, leading to her retaining her new role in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. Similarly, a by-election will be held for a seat in Tamil Nadu, which became vacant due to the resignation of C. Ve. Shanmugam on May 7, 2026. The Election Commission has outlined a detailed schedule for the electoral process. The formal notification for the elections will be issued on June 1, 2026. The last date for filing nominations has been set for June 8, with the scrutiny of nominations scheduled for June 9. Candidates will have until June 11 to withdraw their nominations. Polling, if required, will take place on June 18 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and the counting of votes will commence at 5:00 PM on the same day. The entire election process is slated to be completed by June 22, 2026. The ECI has emphasized that stringent measures will be implemented to ensure the free and fair conduct of these elections. This includes the appointment of observers and close monitoring of the entire electoral process. Furthermore, specific instructions regarding COVID-19 containment measures will be adhered to during the arrangements for conducting the elections, ensuring public health safety. The outcome of these Rajya Sabha elections is highly anticipated, as it will influence the balance of power in the Upper House and, consequently, the legislative agenda of the Union government. With several high-profile retirements and by-elections, these polls are expected to bring new dynamics to national politics. The political parties are already strategizing for the selection of candidates and aiming to secure maximum seats to strengthen their positions in the Parliament. It is important to clarify that while some of the 'related articles' provided in the prompt referred to Rajya Sabha elections in 2020 where individuals like H.D. Deve Gowda and Mallikarjun Kharge were elected, the main article being verified, 'Election Commission of India announces Rajya Sabha polls for 24 seats on June 18 - The Hindu', pertains to the current announcement for elections in 2026.

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