The Election Commission of India (ECI) has released the schedule for the biennial Rajya Sabha elections aimed at filling 37 vacant seats across 10 states, with three seats specifically in Assam, due to the expiration of terms for current members in April 2026. In Assam, the elections are prompted by the termination of terms for BJP representatives Rameswar Teli and Bhubaneswar Kalita, alongside independent member Ajit Kumar Bhuyan. The polling is set for March 16, operating from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, with vote counting occurring the same day at 5:00 pm. To maintain standardization and minimize errors, the ECI has mandated the usage of only integrated violet sketch pens provided by the Returning Officer for vote marking on the ballot papers. Furthermore, the Commission has committed to implementing rigorous oversight measures during the election process to ensure that voting is conducted fairly and freely.
