EC announces Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council polls; Voting on 18 June

Voting for all these elections is scheduled on June 18, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with counting to begin the same day at 5:00 PM.

Post Published By: Sujata Biswal
Updated : 1 June 2026, 6:57 PM IST
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New Delhi: The Election Commission of India has issued a notification for elections to 27 Rajya Sabha seats and the Legislative Councils in three states. Voting for all these elections is scheduled on June 18, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with counting to begin the same day at 5:00 PM.

According to the Election Commission, the timeline for the elections is as follows:

  • Start of Nomination Filing: June 1, 11:00 AM
  • Last Date for Filing Nominations: June 8, 3:00 PM
  • Scrutiny of Nominations: June 9
  • Last Date for Withdrawal: June 11
  • Voting Day: June 18, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Counting of Votes: June 18, 5:00 PM onwards

The Commission explained that these elections include biennial elections for 24 Rajya Sabha seats across 10 states, along with by-elections in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha. In Bihar, biennial elections will be held for nine Legislative Council seats, with an additional by-election for one seat.

Karnataka: Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council Polls

In Karnataka, elections will be held for four Rajya Sabha seats and seven Legislative Council seats, with the state assembly members voting at the Vidhana Soudha.

The elections are being held as the terms of the outgoing Rajya Sabha members, Iranna Kadadi and Narayan Koragappa (BJP), Mallikarjun Kharge (Congress), and H.D. Deve Gowda (JD(S)), expire on June 25. Similarly, the terms of seven Legislative Council members elected by MLAs, Govind Raju, Naseer Ahmed, Tippannappa, BK Hariprasad (Congress), and N. Nagaraju (MTB), Pratap Simha Nayak K., Sunil Vallyapur (BJP), will end on June 30, necessitating these elections.

The Election Commission has urged all candidates and voters to adhere strictly to the schedule to ensure a smooth electoral process.

Location :  New Delhi

Published :  1 June 2026, 6:52 PM IST

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