Rajya Sabha election: ECI issues formal notification to fill 37 seats, including 4 from Odisha

The formal notification for the Rajya Sabha elections was issued on Thursday, setting in motion the process to fill 37 vacancies across 10 states, including four seats in Odisha. The Election Commission of India outlined the schedule for nominations, scrutiny, withdrawal and polling.

The nomination process begins today and will continue until March 5. Scrutiny of nomination papers has been scheduled for March 6, while March 9 has been fixed as the last date for withdrawal of candidature. Polling will be held on March 16.

Four Seats Falling Vacant In Odisha

In Odisha, four Rajya Sabha seats are set to fall vacant with the completion of terms of BJP MPs Sujeet Kumar and Mamata Mohanta, and BJD MPs Niranjan Bishi and Munna Khan.

The upcoming election assumes significance in the state in view of the present composition of the Odisha Legislative Assembly, which determines the outcome of Rajya Sabha polls through elected MLAs.

Also Read: Rajya Sabha elections: Buzz grows over possible BJD–Congress understanding in Odisha

Outcome Largely Clear, Focus On Fourth Seat

Based on the current strength of MLAs in the Assembly, two BJP candidates and one BJD candidate are certain to be elected to the Upper House from Odisha. However, political attention remains centred on the fourth seat, for which the final candidate selection is being closely watched.