The Election Commission of India has officially released the schedule for the upcoming Rajya Sabha Elections 2026, marking the beginning of a key electoral process across multiple states in the country. The announcement also includes elections for State Legislative Councils in Bihar and Karnataka, making this one of the significant political exercises of the year.
ECI Announces Schedule for Rajya Sabha Elections 2026
The Election Commission of India on Monday declared that polling for Rajya Sabha Elections 2026 will be conducted on June 18, subject to the presence of contested seats. The process will cover a total of 27 seats, including biennial elections and by-elections across several states.
The Rajya Sabha Elections 2026 include biennial polls for 24 seats spread across Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Arunachal Pradesh, Karnataka, and Mizoram.
By-Elections Included in Rajya Sabha Elections 2026
Alongside the biennial elections, by-elections will also be held for three Rajya Sabha seats. These vacancies arise in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha, taking the total number of seats involved in Rajya Sabha Elections 2026 to 27.
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The Commission has already issued official notifications and appointed Returning Officers and Assistant Returning Officers for the smooth conduct of the electoral process. These details have been published in the Gazette of India and respective state gazettes.
State Legislative Council Elections Also Announced
In addition to the Rajya Sabha Elections 2026, the Election Commission has also announced biennial elections to State Legislative Councils in Bihar and Karnataka. Bihar will elect nine members, while Karnataka will elect seven members.
A by-election for one additional seat in Bihar’s Legislative Council will also be held, adding to the overall electoral activity scheduled this month.
Important Dates for Rajya Sabha Elections
The nomination process for the Rajya Sabha Elections 2026 began on June 1 at 11 am and will continue until June 8 at 3 pm. Scrutiny of nominations will take place on June 9, while candidates may withdraw their nominations until June 11.
If contests arise, polling for Rajya Sabha Elections 2026 will be conducted on June 18 between 8 am and 4 pm. Counting of votes will begin the same day from 5 pm onwards.
The upcoming Rajya Sabha Elections 2026 are expected to play a crucial role in shaping the composition of the Upper House, influencing legislative decisions at the national level. Political parties are now expected to finalize their candidates and strategies as the election process officially moves into its next phase.
With multiple states involved and both regular and by-elections sch