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Nominations Open; Voting Scheduled for June 18 Across Multiple States
Political activity is set to intensify across the country after the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced elections for 27 Rajya Sabha seats and 17 seats in State Legislative Councils. The nomination process officially commenced on June 1, 2026, marking the beginning of a crucial electoral exercise in several states.
According to the ECI, biennial elections will be held for 24 Rajya Sabha seats across ten states, while by-elections will take place for one seat each in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha. In addition, elections have been announced for nine Legislative Council seats in Bihar and seven in Karnataka, along with a by-election for one vacant seat in Bihar.
The Rajya Sabha elections will cover Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Arunachal Pradesh, Karnataka, and Mizoram. Political parties have already begun internal consultations and strategic planning regarding candidate selection and seat management.
The Election Commission has appointed Returning Officers and Assistant Returning Officers for all constituencies, and the relevant notifications have been published in the Gazette. Candidates can file their nominations until June 8, 2026, at 3:00 PM. Scrutiny of nomination papers will be conducted on June 9, while June 11 has been fixed as the last date for withdrawal of candidatures.
In case contests arise, polling will be conducted on June 18, 2026, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Counting of votes will begin the same day at 5:00 PM, and results are expected shortly thereafter.
Political observers believe these elections hold significance beyond the numbers. The outcome will influence party strength in the Rajya Sabha and Legislative Councils, while also serving as a key indicator of political alignments ahead of future electoral battles. Several states are expected to witness intense competition as ruling parties and opposition groups seek to strengthen their legislative positions.
With nominations now underway, attention is shifting toward candidate announcements, alliance dynamics, and the possibility of closely contested races in key states.
