EC notifies polls for 37 Rajya Sabha seats in 10 states

The Election Commission on Thursday issued a notification for biennial polls for 37 Rajya Sabha seats in 10 states. Nominations can be filed till 5th March. Polling will be held on the 16th of next month. Seven seats in Maharashtra, six seats in Tamil Nadu, five seats each in Bihar and West Bengal, four seats in Odisha, three seats in Assam, two seats each in Telangana, Chhattisgarh and Haryana, and one seat in Himachal Pradesh are falling vacant.
Union Ministers Ramnath Thakur and Ramdas Athawale, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, NCP-SP leader Sharad Pawar, RLM leader Upendra Kushwaha, Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi, AIADMK leader M Thambidurai, and DMK leader Tiruchi Shiva are among those who are completing their tenure in the Upper House in April.
The Election Commission has directed that only integrated violet-coloured sketch pens of pre-fixed specification, provided by the Returning Officer, shall be used for the purpose of marking preferences on the ballot paper. It said no other pen shall be used for marking preferences in the Rajya Sabha elections. The Poll Body said that adequate measures for close monitoring of the election process by appointing observers shall be taken to ensure a free and fair election.
To win, a candidate must secure a minimum number of votes, known as a quota. This quota is calculated based on the total number of MLAs voting and the number of seats available. If a candidate gets enough first-preference votes to meet the quota, they are declared elected. If all seats are not filled, votes are transferred based on second or later preferences until all seats are decided. The Commission said it will appoint observers in each state where elections are held. These observers will monitor the process to make sure it is conducted smoothly, freely, and fairly, following all rules and guidelines.