ECI Announces Schedule for RS Elections; Telangana, AP Among States to Go to Polls

New Delhi, Feb 18: The Election Commission of India (ECI) today officially released the schedule for the 2026 biennial elections to the Rajya Sabha, covering 72 seats across several states, including Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra.

The notification marks the beginning of the process to fill vacancies arising from the retirement of members whose six-year terms conclude between April and July 2026. In Telangana, two key seats are up for grabs as the terms of senior leaders Abhishek Manu Singhvi (INC) and K.R. Suresh Reddy (BRS) are set to expire on April 9, 2026.

As per the announced schedule, the polling for these seats will be conducted on March 16, 2026. The formal notification will be issued on February 25, marking the start of the nomination process. Candidates will have until March 4 to file their papers, with the scrutiny of nominations scheduled for March 5. The last date for the withdrawal of candidatures is March 8.

The elections are expected to be a high-stakes affair, particularly in Telangana, following the recent shift in the state’s political landscape. With the Congress party currently holding a majority in the State Legislative Assembly, political analysts expect the party to secure both seats, potentially further diminishing the BRS’s presence in the Upper House.

Nationwide, the BJP-led NDA and the opposition INDIA bloc are preparing for a significant battle. A total of 72 seats are being contested across states such as Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, and West Bengal. In neighboring Andhra Pradesh, four seats are falling vacant in June, involving members from the TDP, YSRCP, and BJP.

The Election Commission has directed the Chief Electoral Officers of all participating states to ensure that all necessary arrangements, including COVID-standard safety protocols and videography of the proceedings, are in place. Voting will take place between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM on the polling day, with the counting of votes scheduled to begin at 5:00 PM the same evening.

The results of these elections will be crucial for the central government’s legislative agenda, as they will determine the balance of power in the Rajya Sabha for the next two years.