Poll process to fill up 55 RS vacancies begins

The process for the February 7 election to Rajya Sabha to fill up 55 vacancies from 16 states began today with the issue of notification by the Election Commission.

With the initiation of the poll process, political activity for filling up seats in various states gathered steam with lobbying among leaders.

The filing of nominations that started today, will continue till January 28, the last date of nominations. As per the notification, after scrutiny on January 29, the last date for withdrawal of candidatures is January 31.

Polling, if required, will be held on February 7 from 9 AM to 4 PM and the counting will take place the same day at 5 PM.

The term of office of 55 members of the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) expires between April 2 and 12, but the election process has been advanced by EC in view of the upcoming Lok Sabha election.

Of the total Rajya Sabha seats for which election will be held, seven are from Maharashtra, six each from Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, five each from West Bengal and Bihar, four each from Odisha and Gujarat, three each from Assam, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, two each from Chhattisgarh, Haryana and Jharkhand and one each from Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, and Meghalaya.