How Rajya Sabha Elections on March 16 Affect 37 Seats in 10 States

Elections for 37 Rajya Sabha seats will happen on March 16, which is a significant number of seats up for grabs.
By Newsroom | Politics, India |

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced that elections for 37 seats in the Rajya Sabha will be held on March 16. These seats are located across 10 different states, with the terms of the current members concluding in April. The announcement comes as the ECI undertakes an awareness drive regarding Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) units in several poll-bound areas.

37 Rajya Sabha seats up for grabs across 10 states: ECI announces full schedule - Details - 1

Details of the Election Schedule

The ECI's announcement outlines the schedule for these biennial elections:

37 Rajya Sabha seats up for grabs across 10 states: ECI announces full schedule - Details - 2

  • Polling Date: March 16

  • Polling Hours: 9 am to 4 pm

  • Vote Counting: Scheduled for 5 pm on the same day, March 16.

These elections are necessary to fill the vacancies arising as the terms of 37 members from various states draw to a close in April. The ECI has also instructed officials to ensure all necessary arrangements are in place for a transparent and smooth conduct of the polls, including the appointment of observers. A specific directive has been issued to use only integrated violet color sketch pens for marking preferences on ballot papers.

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37 Rajya Sabha seats up for grabs across 10 states: ECI announces full schedule - Details - 3

States and Seat Distribution

The 37 Rajya Sabha seats are spread across the following 10 states, with the number of vacancies indicated:

37 Rajya Sabha seats up for grabs across 10 states: ECI announces full schedule - Details - 4
StateNumber of Seats
Maharashtra7
Tamil Nadu6
West Bengal5
Bihar5
Odisha4
Assam3
Chhattisgarh2
Haryana2
Telangana2
Himachal Pradesh1

The distribution highlights a significant number of vacancies in states like Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, which will necessitate considerable political maneuvering for party representation.

Notable Members Completing Tenure

Several prominent members of the Rajya Sabha will see their terms end in April, making these elections significant. These include:

  • Sharad Pawar (NCP-SP)

  • Priyanka Chaturvedi (Shiv Sena UBT)

  • Ramdas Athawale (RPI-A)

  • Abhishek Manu Singhvi (Congress)

  • Saket Gokhale (TMC)

  • Harivansh Narayan Singh (JDU - Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha)

  • Kanimozhi NVN Somu (DMK)

  • M Thambidurai (AIADMK)

  • G K Vasan (TMC)

The retiring members represent a diverse range of political parties and have contributed to parliamentary proceedings. Their departure opens up opportunities for new representatives.

EVM and VVPAT Awareness Drive

In parallel with the election schedule, the ECI is conducting an intensified awareness campaign focused on EVMs and VVPATs. This initiative is being carried out in states and Union Territories including Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal.

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  • The campaign utilizes EVM Demonstration Centres and Mobile Demonstration Vans.

  • The objective is to familiarize voters with the functioning of these voting machines.

  • This drive is structured and time-bound, aiming for a comprehensive outreach.

Political Implications and Context

The timing of these elections, particularly in states like Tamil Nadu, occurs amidst ongoing seat-sharing negotiations for upcoming state assembly elections. This adds a layer of complexity to alliance discussions, with partners seeking Upper House berths as part of broader political talks. The Rajya Sabha, being a permanent body, undergoes biennial elections to ensure continuity and representational balance across the nation's states. The outcomes of these elections will reflect the current political standing of various parties within these states.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why are elections for Rajya Sabha seats being held on March 16?
Elections are being held on March 16 to fill 37 Rajya Sabha seats across 10 states because the terms of the current members are ending in April. The Election Commission of India announced the date for these important polls.
Q: Which 10 states will have Rajya Sabha elections on March 16?
The 10 states with Rajya Sabha elections on March 16 are Maharashtra (7 seats), Tamil Nadu (6 seats), West Bengal (5 seats), Bihar (5 seats), Odisha (4 seats), Assam (3 seats), Chhattisgarh (2 seats), Haryana (2 seats), Telangana (2 seats), and Himachal Pradesh (1 seat).
Q: What time will voting and counting happen for the Rajya Sabha elections on March 16?
Voting for the Rajya Sabha elections on March 16 will take place from 9 am to 4 pm. The counting of votes will happen on the same day, starting at 5 pm.
Q: Are there any special instructions for marking ballot papers in these Rajya Sabha elections?
Yes, officials have been told to use only integrated violet color sketch pens when marking preferences on the ballot papers. This is to ensure the process is clear and consistent.
Q: Why is the Election Commission also doing an awareness drive about EVMs and VVPATs?
The Election Commission is running a campaign to help people understand how Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) units work. This is happening in states like Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal to make sure voters are familiar with the voting technology.