ECI announces schedule for Rajya Sabha polls to fill 37 seats, including 4 from Odisha

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday announced the schedule for the biennial elections to the Rajya Sabha to fill 37 vacant seats, including four from Odisha. The vacancies arise due to the retirement of sitting members whose terms are set to expire in April 2026.

In an official press note issued on February 18, 2026, the Commission stated that the terms of 37 members elected from 10 states will conclude in April. To fill these vacancies, the ECI has decided to conduct biennial elections in accordance with the established electoral process.

As per the notified schedule, the election notification will be issued on February 26, 2026. The last date for filing nominations is March 5, and scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on March 6. Candidates may withdraw their nominations until March 9.

Polling, if required, will be held on March 16, 2026, between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm. The counting of votes will take place on the same day at 5:00 pm. The entire election process is scheduled to be completed by March 20, 2026.

The Commission has specified that electors must use only integrated violet-coloured sketch pens of a pre-fixed specification supplied by the Returning Officer to mark their preferences on the ballot paper. The use of any other pen will not be permitted.

Also Read: Newborn girl rescued near house of 70-year-old accused in minor rape case in Jajpur

The ECI also stated that adequate measures, including the appointment of observers, will be put in place to ensure strict monitoring and the smooth conduct of free and fair elections.

Notably, the tenures of four Rajya Sabha MPs from Odisha- Mamata Mohanta, Muzibulla Khan, Sujeet Kumar and Niranjan Bishi are set to end on April 2, 2026.