Upper House elections set for March 16 across 10 states | Fusion - WeRIndia

Elections to India’s Upper House are set to witness significant activity next month, as 37 Rajya Sabha seats across 10 states fall vacant.

The Election Commission (EC) announced that polling will take place on March 16, with votes counted the same evening.

The EC will issue notifications for the Rajya Sabha elections on February 26, ahead of the seats falling vacant in April.

The Rajya Sabha will see several members retire soon. Maharashtra has 7 seats vacant, Tamil Nadu 6, West Bengal 5, and Bihar 5. Odisha will lose 4 members, Assam 3, Telangana 2, Chhattisgarh 2, Haryana 2, and Himachal Pradesh 1.

These vacancies happen as part of a regular rotation. Every two years, about a third of Rajya Sabha members complete their six-year term and retire.

Many experienced leaders are retiring, creating opportunities for fresh faces in the Rajya Sabha. These include long-serving members from both national and regional parties who have made significant contributions to debates and legislation.

Their departure may affect party calculations and alliances, influencing the overall strength of different parties in the Upper House. The upcoming elections will be crucial in deciding the balance of power.

Rajya Sabha elections follow a distinct process. Only elected State Legislative Assembly members can cast votes.

Each state’s representatives send a portion of new members to the Upper House every two years, as the Rajya Sabha is a permanent body and is not dissolved. A third of its members retire biannually, creating a cycle of elections.

Rajya Sabha elections are not just routine. They show the strength of parties in state assemblies. Each seat affects the majority in the Upper House.

These elections also influence central legislation. Since many states are involved, parties must plan carefully. The March polls will play an important role in shaping India’s parliamentary balance and future lawmaking.

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Image Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rajya_Sabha_June_2020.Svg