NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Wednesday announced bypolls for six Rajya Sabha seats across five states, rendered vacant due to resignation or death of the sitting MP, as well as a biennial election for one seat from Puducherry. Polling for all seats shall be conducted on October 4.
The six Rajya Sabha vacancies where polls have been declared include two in Tamil Nadu and one seat each in West Bengal, Assam, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. While the two Tamil Nadu seats became vacant after MPs K P Manusamy and R Vaithilingam resigned, the resignation of Manas Ranjan Bhunia, Biswajit Daimary and Thaawarchand Gehlot caused the vacancies in West Bengal, Assam and Madhya Pradesh respectively.
The Rajya Sabha vacancy from Maharashtra arose on account of the death of MP Rajeev Shankarrao Satav in May this year.
Another Rajya Sabha biennial election announced by EC on Wednesday is from Puducherry. The sitting MP N Gokulakrishnan’s term is ending on October 6, 2021.
EC also announced bypoll for a legislative council seat in Bihar, caused by death of MLC Tanveer Akhtar on May 5, 2021. Polling here too will be held on October 4.
EC said its broad guidelines for conduct of polls amid Covid-19 will have to be followed, wherever applicable, during the entire election process by all persons.
The chief secretaries of the poll-bound states have been directed by EC to depute a senior officer from the state to ensure that the extant instructions regarding Covid-19 containment measures are complied with while making arrangements for conduct of the election.
