The Election Commission of India (ECI) has officially announced the schedule for the biennial elections to the Rajya Sabha. The upcoming polls are intended to fill 24 seats across 10 states as the terms of the incumbent members are set to expire between June and July 2026.
Focus on Rajasthan
The elections hold particular significance for Rajasthan, as the terms of three Rajya Sabha members from the state—Shri Neeraj Dangi, Shri Rajendra Gehlot, and Shri Ravneet Singh—are scheduled to conclude on June 21, 2026. These upcoming elections will determine the representation for these three seats in the Upper House.
Official Election Schedule (2026)
According to the notification issued by the Election Commission, the electoral process will proceed according to the following timeline:
- Date of Notification: June 01, 2026 (Monday)
- Last Date for Nominations: June 08, 2026 (Monday)
- Scrutiny of Nominations: June 09, 2026 (Tuesday)
- Last Date for Withdrawal of Candidature: June 11, 2026 (Thursday)
- Date of Polling: June 18, 2026 (Thursday)
- Polling Hours: 09:00 AM to 04:00 PM
- Counting of Votes: June 18, 2026 (Starting at 05:00 PM)
- Date of Completion of Election: June 20, 2026 (Saturday)
Ensuring Electoral Integrity
To ensure a free and fair electoral process, the Commission has issued strict directives regarding voting procedures. Specifically, voters must use only the special violet-colored sketch pen provided by the Returning Officer to mark their preferences on the ballot paper; the use of any other pen will result in the ballot being declared invalid. Furthermore, the ECI has mandated the appointment of observers to oversee the proceedings, ensuring rigorous monitoring and transparency throughout the polling and counting phases.
Disclaimer: This article is based on the official press release and notification issued by the Election Commission of India. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, including potential amendments or further directives, please refer to the official ECI website (eci.gov.in).
