The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced the schedule for biennial elections to the Rajya Sabha from Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, along with a bye-election to the Council of States from West Bengal.
According to an ECI press note dated September 22, 2026, the terms of office of 11 Rajya Sabha members 10 from Uttar Pradesh and one from Uttarakhand will expire on November 25, 2026.
The 10 seats from Uttar Pradesh are held by Aran Singh, Geeta alias Chandraprabha, Keshri Shubhar, Brij Lal, Prof. Ram Gopal Yadav, Rani, B.L. Verma, Seema, Dr. Dinesh Sharma and Harsingh Puri. The term of Uttarakhand member Naresh Bansal is also scheduled to end on November 25, 2026.
In addition, the ECI has announced a bye-election for one Rajya Sabha seat from West Bengal following the resignation of Smt. Rukmini Malik on July 16, 2026. Her term was originally scheduled to continue until April 2, 2032.
Election Schedule
- Issue of Notification: September 29, 2026
- Last date for filing nominations: October 6, 2026
- Scrutiny of nominations: October 7, 2026
- Last date for withdrawal: October 9, 2026
- Date of Poll: October 16, 2026
- Polling Hours: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Counting of Votes: October 16, 2026, from 5:00 PM
- Election to be completed by: October 19, 2026
The Commission has also directed that only the integrated violet colour sketch pens of the prescribed specification, provided by the Returning Officer, should be used for marking preferences on the ballot paper.
The ECI said adequate measures will be taken to ensure close monitoring of the election process and to maintain free and fair elections.
Source: Election Commission of India Press Note No. ECI/PN/117/2026, dated September 22, 2026.
