Rajya Sabha Elections 2026: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced that biennial elections for 37 Rajya Sabha seats will be held on March 16, setting the stage for a significant political exercise across 10 states. Among the seats going to polls are two in Haryana and one in Himachal Pradesh, drawing attention from regional political observers. The counting of votes will take place on the same day as polling, ensuring swift results.
The election process will formally begin on February 26 with the issuance of notifications. The last date for filing nominations has been fixed as March 6, while candidates can withdraw their nominations until March 9. The schedule leaves little room for delay, pushing political parties to quickly finalize their candidates and strategy.
These elections are being conducted as the terms of 37 sitting members of the Upper House are set to expire in April 2026. In Haryana, the tenure of BJP leaders Kiran Choudhry and Ram Chander Jangra is coming to an end. In Himachal Pradesh, Indu Bala Goswami is also completing her term. The political arithmetic in both states will play a decisive role in determining the outcome.
Several prominent national leaders are among those nearing the end of their Rajya Sabha term. These include Union ministers Ramdas Athawale and Rameswar Teli, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi, TMC MP Saket Gokhale, DMK’s Tiruchi Siva and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi. Whether these leaders return to the Upper House or make way for new faces will be closely watched.
State-wise, the highest number of seats falling vacant is in Maharashtra with seven, followed by Tamil Nadu with six. West Bengal and Bihar will each see five seats go to polls, while Odisha has four vacancies. Assam has three seats up for election, and Chhattisgarh, Haryana and Telangana each have two. Himachal Pradesh accounts for one seat.
Rajya Sabha members are elected by the elected members of state legislative assemblies through proportional representation using the single transferable vote system. Every two years, one-third of the members retire, ensuring continuity in the Upper House. Each member serves a six-year term. Unlike Lok Sabha elections, the public does not vote directly in Rajya Sabha polls. Instead, MLAs cast their votes, making state-level political strength crucial.
The outcome of these elections will have a direct impact on the legislative balance in Parliament. The strength of parties in the Rajya Sabha often determines the ease with which key bills are passed. Even a small shift in numbers can influence parliamentary strategy and negotiations.
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As the nomination process opens later this month, political activity is expected to intensify across states. Parties will weigh loyalty, regional representation, and parliamentary experience before finalizing candidates. With several high-profile names involved and multiple states in play, the March 16 Rajya Sabha elections promise to be more than a routine constitutional exercise—they will be a clear indicator of evolving political equations across India.