Indian Election Commission Sets March 16 for Biennial Elections

The Election Commission of India has scheduled Biennial Elections for 37 Rajya Sabha Seats, which will take place across 10 States on March 16. The voting period will start at 9 am and end at 4 pm, and counting of votes will start at 5 pm on the same day. The complete procedure will finish its work by March 20.

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The vacancies exist in the states of Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Telangana. The seats will become vacant in April 2026.

Voting Process and Schedule


According to the Election Commission, notifications will be issued on February 26. The last date for nominations is March 5, scrutiny will occur on March 6, and withdrawals are allowed until March 9. The Commission directed that only integrated violet sketch pens provided by the Returning Officer be used for marking preferences.

“Only integrated violet colour sketch pen(s) of pre-fixed specification provided by the Returning Officer shall be used,” the Commission stated, adding that observers will monitor proceedings to ensure free and fair Indian Elections.

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Key Leaders Set to Retire


Among those completing their terms are Sharad Pawar, Ramdas Athawale, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Saket Gokhale, and Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh. Their exit marks the end of an important parliamentary cycle and could slightly reshape party strength in the Upper House.

The Bharatiya Janata Party, together with its allies, won the 2020 Biennial Elections by securing victories in several states, which included Assam, Bihar, and Haryana. The political environment in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal allowed regional parties to maintain their control over the political power in both states.

Analysis: What the Results Could Mean


The election process for Rajya Sabha Seats requires elected MLAs to make their decision because the public cannot vote directly. The Upper House balance will experience only slight changes, as state governments have changed the 2020 election cycle.

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The upcoming elections will not produce any major system changes, yet every tiny victory counts in closely contested races. The upcoming March 16 Biennial Elections will discreetly influence parliamentary power dynamics before the upcoming significant policy discussions.