Election Commission to Hold Bye-Elections for Vacant Rajya Sabha Seats

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced bye-elections for a total of five Rajya Sabha seats. Four of these seats are in Jammu and Kashmir, and one is in Punjab. The voting and counting process for these elections is scheduled for October 24. The Jammu and Kashmir seats have been unoccupied since February 2021, due to the retirements of Ghulam Nabi Azad, Mir Mohammad Fayaz, Shamsher Singh, and Nazir Ahmed Laway. The ECI will conduct three separate elections for these four seats, in accordance with legal guidelines. This approach was earlier challenged in the Delhi High Court, which ultimately upheld the ECI’s decision to conduct separate elections. The Punjab seat became vacant following the resignation of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjeev Arora on July 1; his term was set to expire on April 9, 2028. The official notifications concerning the elections will be issued on October 6. The deadline for nominations will be October 13. The scrutiny of nominations will happen on October 14, and the final date for withdrawal is October 16. Polling will be held on October 24, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, with the counting of votes commencing at 5:00 pm on the same day.