ECI Sets October Schedule for Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council Polls

The Election Commission of India has finalized the schedule for 12 Rajya Sabha seats across Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal, while simultaneously triggering elections for 28 Legislative Council seats. These polls address impending vacancies in the Upper House and the expiration of terms for various Graduates' and Teachers' constituencies.

Editorial·September 22, 2026·reads: 813

ECI Sets October Schedule for Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council Polls

The Rajya Sabha elections cover 10 seats in Uttar Pradesh and one in Uttarakhand, alongside a bye-election in West Bengal following the resignation of TMC MP Rukmini Mallik. Key figures retiring from the Uttar Pradesh delegation include Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Ram Gopal Yadav, and Dr. Dinesh Sharma. Candidates have until October 6 to file nominations, with polling set for October 16. Returning officers will mandate the use of specific violet-colored sketch pens to ensure uniformity in ballot marking.

Separately, the Commission announced biennial elections for 28 Legislative Council seats spanning Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh. These contests involve Graduates' and Teachers' constituencies, with voting scheduled for October 23 and results expected on October 27. The Model Code of Conduct is now active across all affected constituencies in these four states to govern the electoral process.