
Poll Body Announces Election To 8 Rajya Sabha Seats On June 19
New Delhi:
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday announced biennial elections to eight Rajya Sabha seats from the states of Tamil Nadu and Assam will be held on June 19 and the results will be declared the same day.
The biennial elections are being held as the terms of eight members of the Council of States (Rajya Sabha), representing the two states, are set to expire between June and July, the Election Commission said in a statement.
From Assam, two seats will fall vacant with the retirement of Mission Ranjan Das and Birendra Prasad Baishya, both of whom will demit office on June 14.
In Tamil Nadu, six Rajya Sabha members are due to retire on July 24. They are Anbumani Ramadoss, M. Shanmugam, N. Chandrasegharan, M. Mohamed Abdulla, P. Wilson, and Vaiko.
The notification for the elections will be issued on June 2, while the last date for filing nominations is June 9.
Scrutiny of nominations will take place on June 10, and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is June 12.
The Commission has emphasised the use of only the violet sketch pens of a pre-fixed specification, provided by the Returning Officer, for marking preferences on the ballot paper. Use of any other pen will not be permitted under any circumstances.
To ensure a free and fair election, the ECI said that observers will be appointed to closely monitor the election process. Additionally, the Commission has directed that the broad Covid-19 guidelines, as issued by it from time to time and available on its website, be followed wherever applicable during the entire electoral process.
The counting of votes will begin immediately after polling ends on June 19, and the entire election process will be concluded by June 23, the Commission said in its statement.
The Election Commission had also announced bypolls to five Assembly states in four states will be held on June 19.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


News18
an hour ago
- News18
Kharge Calls Bengaluru Stampede ‘Accidental', Asks If Anyone Resigned Over Kumbh, Covid Deaths
Last Updated: Responding to calls for resignations, Kharge asked whether similar demands were made during the Kumbh Mela or when lakhs died during the Covid-19 pandemic. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge called the recent stampede in Bengaluru 'accidental" and questioned the selective outrage around political accountability. Responding to calls for resignations, Kharge asked whether similar demands were made during the Kumbh Mela or when lakhs died during the Covid-19 pandemic. His remarks come amid criticism over the stampede at a government-organized event, which left several dead and injured. Following the tragedy, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar met the Congress leadership in Delhi on Tuesday to brief them on the June 4 Bengaluru stampede that claimed 11 lives. The meeting was attended by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, senior leader Rahul Gandhi, AICC General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal, and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala. According to sources, Rahul Gandhi expressed displeasure over the incident, calling it avoidable had adequate precautions been taken. He advised the CM and his deputy to ensure such lapses are not repeated and urged state leaders to fix accountability. The Congress-led Karnataka government has faced intense criticism, with the opposition BJP and JD(S) demanding the resignation of both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar over the mishap. The Bengaluru stampede on June 4 claimed 11 lives, triggering a political uproar. The incident occurred amid a large crowd gathered to be a part of that RCB celebrations, leading to chaos and a deadly rush. The Congress-led Karnataka government has come under sharp criticism, with opposition parties holding Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar responsible and demanding their resignation. The Congress leadership has since sought an explanation and urged state authorities to ensure accountability and prevent future lapses. First Published: June 11, 2025, 12:51 IST


Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
PMO Orders RT-PCR Tests for BJP Leaders Ahead of Dinner as COVID Cases Rise in India
As COVID-19 cases continue to rise across the country day by day, the Prime Minister's Office has issued important instructions to BJP leaders and ministers. It has been made clear that anyone who wants to meet Prime Minister Modi must undergo an RT-PCR test beforehand. According to the schedule, on Wednesday evening, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta along with seven MPs and MLAs were supposed to have dinner with Prime Minister Modi. However, it is reported that all of them are ready to get COVID tests done before meeting the Prime Minister. Seventy BJP leaders from Delhi are scheduled to meet the Prime Minister at his residence on Wednesday. It is said that all of them are going for RT-PCR tests. After BJP's resounding victory in the Delhi Assembly elections, Prime Minister Modi invited the Delhi Chief Minister and 70 BJP leaders from Delhi for dinner on Wednesday at 7:30 PM. Since this is a large gathering, the Prime Minister's Office has recommended that everyone undergo RT-PCR tests as a precaution. According to the official data released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Wednesday, 306 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the country in the last 24 hours. Six people died due to COVID-19. Among them, three deaths occurred in Kerala, one in Maharashtra, and two in Karnataka. Kerala alone reported 170 new COVID-19 cases. Gujarat reported 114 new cases. Shockingly, Delhi recorded 66 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases in Delhi to 757.


India Today
2 hours ago
- India Today
RT-PCR test mandatory for ministers before meeting PM amid Covid surge: Sources
An RT-PCR test has been made compulsory for ministers meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as active Covid-19 cases in the country crossed the 7,000 mark today, sources told India Today 70 BJP functionaries from Delhi -- including the Delhi Chief Minister, all seven MPs, and MLAs -- who are scheduled to meet Prime Minister Modi at his residence this evening, will undergo an RT-PCR test, sources the BJP's victory in the Delhi Assembly polls, PM Modi has invited all state party leaders for dinner at 7:30 pm. According to the official statement released by the Union Health Ministry on Wednesday, the country has witnessed 306 fresh cases and six deaths in the past 24 three deaths have been recorded in Kerala, Maharashtra (1) and Karnataka (2) are the only states to have reported the remaining deaths during the same has seen the highest single-day jump, reporting 170 fresh cases. Meanwhile, Gujarat has recorded 114 new infections and 1,223 active cases, followed by Karnataka, which has logged 100 new cases, as per the recorded 66 fresh cases in the last 24 hours and the city's total caseload reached 757, the Health Ministry overall picture is no different, with Kerala leading the tally as its total active cases crossed the 2,000 mark, followed by Gujarat, West Bengal and a rise in Covid cases, the Centre has launched mock drills across the nation to assess hospital preparedness. It has further directed states to ensure an adequate supply of oxygen, isolation beds, ventilators, and essential officials maintain that most cases are mild in Watch