Biennial Polls for 8 Rajya Sabha Seats to be Held on June 19
In a recent announcement, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has declared that biennial polls for eight Rajya Sabha seats will take place on June 19. The counting of votes will occur on the same evening. This development comes as the terms of eight members, including two from Assam and six from Tamil Nadu, are set to end in June and July.
The notification for the biennial exercise will be published on June 2, providing a window of about 17 days for the candidates to file their nominations. The ECI has specified that the last date for filing nominations is June 9, while the scrutiny of nominations will take place on June 10. The final date for withdrawal of candidatures is set for June 12.
The eight Rajya Sabha seats up for grabs are currently held by members from the ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) parties in Tamil Nadu. Two seats are held by members from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress (INC) in Assam.
The biennial polls are a crucial event in the Indian political landscape, as they will determine the composition of the Rajya Sabha for the next six years. The Rajya Sabha is the upper house of the Indian Parliament, comprising 245 members, with 233 members elected by the state assemblies and 12 members nominated by the President of India.
The Rajya Sabha plays a significant role in the legislative process, as it has the power to introduce and pass bills, including financial bills. Additionally, the Rajya Sabha can also initiate and pass motions of no-confidence against the government.
The biennial polls are usually conducted to fill vacancies that arise due to the retirement of members or the resignation of sitting members. In this case, the vacancies have arisen due to the natural expiration of the terms of the current members.
The biennial polls are expected to be closely watched, as they will provide an opportunity for various political parties to strengthen their presence in the Rajya Sabha. The polls will also be an indicator of the strength and momentum of the various parties ahead of the 2024 general elections.
In Tamil Nadu, the AIADMK and the DMK have been locked in a bitter rivalry for several years, with both parties having a significant presence in the state. The biennial polls are expected to be a test of strength for both parties, as they bid to increase their representation in the Rajya Sabha.
In Assam, the BJP and the INC have been engaged in a fierce political battle in recent years, with both parties having a strong presence in the state. The biennial polls are expected to be a key battleground for both parties, as they seek to strengthen their position in the state and increase their representation in the Rajya Sabha.
The biennial polls will be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Indian Constitution and the rules and regulations laid down by the ECI. The polls will be conducted through a secret ballot, with voters casting their votes in person or through postal ballots.
In conclusion, the biennial polls for eight Rajya Sabha seats on June 19 are an important event in the Indian political calendar. The polls will provide an opportunity for various political parties to strengthen their presence in the Rajya Sabha and will be an indicator of their strength and momentum ahead of the 2024 general elections.
Source:
https://www.ptinews.com/story/business/Biennial-polls-to-eight-Rajya-Sabha-seats-on-June-19/2588671
