Guwahati, Feb 18: The Election Commission of India on February 18 announced the schedule for the biennial elections to the Rajya Sabha, setting the stage for polling across 10 states, including Assam. The exercise will fill 37 seats that are set to fall vacant in April 2026 as incumbent members complete their terms.
According to the official press note, elections will be held in Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Telangana.
In Assam, three seats are due for election. The members whose terms are ending include Rameswar Teli, Bhubaneswar Kalita and Ajit Kumar Bhuyan.
Polling in Assam is scheduled for March 16, with voting to take place between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm. Counting of votes will begin at 5:00 pm on the same day. The entire election process is slated to conclude by March 20.
The Commission has outlined the following timeline:
• Issue of Notification: February 26
• Last Date for Filing Nominations: March 5
• Scrutiny of Nominations: March 6
• Last Date for Withdrawal: March 9
• Date of Poll: March 16 (9:00 am – 4:00 pm)
• Counting of Votes: March 16 (5:00 pm onwards)
• Completion of Election Process: March 20
The biennial Rajya Sabha elections are conducted through an indirect voting system, wherein elected Members of Legislative Assemblies cast their votes using proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote.
In its press note, the Commission reiterated that only integrated violet colour sketch pens of pre-fixed specifications, supplied by the Returning Officer, will be permitted for marking preferences on ballot papers. No other pen shall be used, it stated, emphasising strict adherence to procedural uniformity.
The Commission has also directed the appointment of observers and mandated adequate measures to ensure the smooth and fair conduct of the elections.
With 37 seats across politically diverse states going to the polls, the biennial exercise is expected to influence the numerical balance in the Upper House, as parties rely on state-level legislative strength to determine outcomes.
