Bye-Elections Announced for Rajya Sabha Seats: Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab to Vote

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has set the date for bye-elections for five Rajya Sabha seats. Four seats are in Jammu and Kashmir, and one is in Punjab. All voting and counting will occur on October 24. The J-K seats have been vacant since February 2021, stemming from the retirements of Ghulam Nabi Azad, Mir Mohammad Fayaz, Shamsher Singh, and Nazir Ahmed Laway. The ECI plans three separate elections for the four J-K seats, as the vacancies fall under three distinct cycles. A challenge to this approach was dismissed by the Delhi High Court in 1994. The Punjab seat became vacant when Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjeev Arora resigned on July 1, before completing his term, which was to conclude on April 9, 2028. The election notification will be issued on October 6. Nominations must be submitted by October 13. Scrutiny of nominations will take place on October 14, with the last date for withdrawal on October 16. Polling will occur on October 24, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, with the vote count beginning at 5:00 pm.