New Delhi, September 22 (TNA) The Election Commission has announced the schedule for biennial elections to 10 Rajya Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh and one seat in Uttarakhand. Voting and counting for all 11 seats will be held on October 16, 2026.
The election process will begin on September 29, when the notification will be issued. Candidates can file their nominations until October 6, while the scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on October 7. The last date for withdrawal of candidature is October 9.
Polling will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on October 16. Counting of votes will begin at 5 p.m. the same day, with the entire election process scheduled to be completed by October 19.
The terms of 10 Rajya Sabha members from Uttar Pradesh are set to expire on November 25. The elections are expected to trigger intense political activity in the state, with parties working on candidate selection and securing the required support among MLAs.
Uttar Pradesh has 31 Rajya Sabha seats, making the upcoming election significant for the balance of power in the Upper House. The outcome will depend on the strength of political parties in the state Assembly and the votes secured by their candidates.
Alongside the Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand elections, the Election Commission has also announced a bypoll for one Rajya Sabha seat from West Bengal. Polling for that seat will also take place on October 16.