The political scene is set for resumption of electoral activity, with elections on 18 Rajya Sabha seats, which were earlier scheduled to be held on March 26 but were deferred on account of the COVID-19 outbreak, to be held on June 19.
The Election Commission on Monday announced the schedule for elections to the 18 Rajya Sabha seats—four seats each in Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat, three seats each in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, two seats in Jharkhand and one seat each in Manipur and Meghalaya.
On February 25, the Commission had announced elections to the Upper House to fill 55 seats of members from 17 states who were retiring in April. After the last date of withdrawal of nominations on March 18, 37 seats from ten states were filled uncontested. Elections on the remaining 18 seats were to be conducted on March 26.
However, in view of the public health emergency due to COVID-19 and related advisories issued by the government, the EC on March 24 deferred the poll and extended the period of the election. This was done under Section 153 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 which specifies that the Commission for reasons which it considers sufficient, may extend the time for the completion of any election.
The Commission had also stated that the list of contesting candidates already published for the election was to remain valid for the purpose of the remaining steps in the electoral process.
The poll body's decision to hold the election on June 19 took into account various factors, including the guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs on May 30 with regard to the do's and don'ts to curb the spread of coronavirus.
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