Nomination process begins for Rajya Sabha by-elections in Odisha

Bhubaneswar, Dec 3: The nomination process for the upcoming by-elections to six Rajya Sabha seats, including one from Odisha, commenced on Tuesday following the issuance of the official notification.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) had previously announced the schedule for these by-elections, which are set to take place on December 20. The deadline for submitting nomination papers is December 10, with the scrutiny of nominations scheduled for December 11.

Candidates can withdraw their nominations until December 13. Voting will occur on December 20 from 9 AM to 4 PM, with vote counting starting at 5 PM that same day.

The Rajya Sabha seat from Odisha became vacant after Sujeet Kumar resigned from the Upper House and joined the BJP on September 6, 2024, following his expulsion from the BJD for alleged anti-party activities. Elected to the Rajya Sabha on April 3, 2020, Kumar’s term was set to conclude on April 2, 2026.

His resignation, along with that of Mamata Mohanta, has reduced the BJD’s representation in the upper house to seven members. Given the BJP's strength of 78 MLAs in the 147-member Odisha Vidhan Sabha, this seat is expected to be filled by a BJP candidate.