3 Separate Elections For 4 Rajya Sabha Seats In J&K, 1 In Punjab

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has scheduled the much-anticipated Rajya Sabha elections for Jammu and Kashmir, addressing four vacancies that have remained unfilled since February 2021. The polling is set to take place on October 24, 2025, nearly four years after these Upper House seats became vacant.

The ECI has clarified that these four vacancies will be addressed through three distinct electoral processes, as mandated by legal requirements. This approach is necessary because the seats originated from three separate biennial cycles. Two members completed their terms on February 15, 2021, while the other two concluded their service slightly earlier on February 10, 2021.

In its decision, the Commission referenced the AK Walia vs Union of India (1994) case from the Delhi High Court, which established that separate elections must be conducted when vacancies fall under different categories. The court ruling emphasized: "Once the seats have been divided into the three categories from the inception, the Respondents were right in holding separate elections for each category."

The Commission has indicated that the tenure of the newly elected members will be determined based on the resolution of a case currently pending before the Supreme Court.

To maintain electoral integrity, the ECI has specified that only violet sketch pens with particular characteristics, provided by the Returning Officer, may be used for marking preferences on ballot papers. The Commission will deploy an adequate number of observers to oversee the election and ensure procedural fairness.

This announcement carries significant political weight in Jammu and Kashmir, where political parties have consistently advocated for Rajya Sabha elections.

Alongside these announcements, the Commission has also scheduled a by-election for a Rajya Sabha seat from Punjab. This vacancy emerged following the resignation of AAP MP Sanjeev Arora, who stepped down to join the state cabinet.