India Rajya Sabha Polls: Voting Concludes for 37 Seats Across 10 States
Voting has concluded across 10 Indian states for 37 Rajya Sabha seats. While 26 candidates were elected unopposed, elections were held for the remaining 11 seats in Bihar, Odisha, and Haryana. Counting of votes began on the evening of March 16, 2026.
Key Highlights
- Rajya Sabha elections were held for 37 seats in 10 states.
- 26 candidates were elected unopposed.
- Voting took place for 11 seats in Bihar, Odisha, and Haryana.
- Counting of votes commenced on the evening of March 16, 2026.
- Several prominent leaders, including Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, were in the fray.
- The NDA aimed to strengthen its position in the Rajya Sabha.
Voting concluded on March 16, 2026, for the biennial elections to 37 Rajya Sabha seats spread across 10 states in India. The Election Commission of India had announced the schedule, with nominations opening on February 26 and closing on March 5, followed by scrutiny on March 6 and withdrawal by March 9. The polling took place from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM on March 16, with the counting of votes commencing at 5:00 PM the same evening.
Out of the 37 vacant seats, 26 candidates were declared elected unopposed. These unopposed victories were secured in states including Maharashtra (7 seats), Tamil Nadu (6 seats), West Bengal (5 seats), Assam (3 seats), Chhattisgarh (2 seats), Haryana (2 seats), Himachal Pradesh (1 seat), and Telangana (2 seats).
The contests were held for the remaining 11 seats, concentrated in three states: Bihar (5 seats), Odisha (4 seats), and Haryana (2 seats).
In Bihar, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was widely expected to secure a significant number of seats, with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar himself being a prominent candidate. The NDA was aiming for a clean sweep, while the opposition Mahagathbandhan faced challenges with some MLAs not turning up to vote.
Odisha witnessed a competitive scenario with five candidates vying for four seats. Concerns over cross-voting were noted, and there were reports of a scuffle between MLAs of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Ultimately, three BJP-supported candidates and one BJD candidate secured victory, with reports indicating cross-voting in favor of the BJP-supported independent candidate.
In Haryana, the elections for two seats also saw intense political maneuvering.
Several prominent leaders were completing their terms and were in the fray or among those whose terms were ending. These included Union Ministers Ramnath Thakur and Ramdas Athawale, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh, NCP-SP leader Sharad Pawar, RLM leader Upendra Kushwaha, Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi, AIADMK leader M. Thambidurai, and DMK leader Tiruchi Siva.
The overall context of these elections was the NDA's bid to increase its tally in the Rajya Sabha, where it aimed to strengthen its numbers against the Opposition INDIA bloc. The BJP, in power in several of the states going to polls, was expected to gain seats.
To ensure fairness and transparency, the Election Commission mandated the use of specific violet-colored sketch pens for marking ballot papers and deployed observers to monitor the polling process.
The timing of the news, with voting on March 16, 2026, and counting the same evening, indicates a breaking news scenario. The comprehensive coverage from NDTV, News On AIR, and Hindustan Times corroborates the core facts of the elections.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Rajya Sabha seats were up for election?
A total of 37 Rajya Sabha seats were up for election across 10 states in India.
In which states were elections actually held?
While elections were announced for 37 seats, 26 candidates were elected unopposed. Voting took place for the remaining 11 seats in Bihar, Odisha, and Haryana.
When did the counting of votes take place?
The counting of votes commenced on the evening of March 16, 2026, after the polling concluded.
Who were some of the prominent figures involved in these elections?
Key leaders in the fray included Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Several other prominent Rajya Sabha members were also completing their terms.
What was the significance of these elections for the political landscape?
These elections were significant as the ruling NDA aimed to increase its numbers in the Rajya Sabha, potentially strengthening its legislative position.