Bhubaneswar: The process for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections has formally begun, with the Election Commission of India writing to election officers of 10 states, including Odisha. A total of 37 Rajya Sabha seats are scheduled to fall vacant in April 2026 due to the retirement of sitting members. In this context, the Commission has sought proposals for the appointment of Returning Officers to ensure smooth conduct of the elections.
The Election Commission has directed state authorities to initiate necessary arrangements in coordination with the respective legislative assembly secretariats. According to the communication, Maharashtra will see the highest number of vacancies with seven seats, followed by Tamil Nadu and Bihar with six seats each, West Bengal with five, Odisha with four, Assam with three, and Telangana, Chhattisgarh and Haryana with two seats each. Himachal Pradesh will have one seat falling vacant.
As part of the election preparations, states have been asked to submit detailed proposals for the appointment of Returning Officers and Assistant Returning Officers. The proposals must include complete contact details of the officers, along with information related to polling locations and the type of ballot boxes to be used during the election process.
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