Bhubaneswar, May 27: The Election Commission of India (Election Commission of India) has announced a bye-election to fill a casual vacancy in the Rajya Sabha from Odisha following the resignation of sitting member Debashish Samantaray on May 25. His term was originally scheduled to continue till April 3, 2030.
According to the official notification, the election process will begin with the issuance of the notification on June 1, 2026. The last date for filing nominations has been set for June 8, while scrutiny of nominations will take place on June 9.
Candidates will be allowed to withdraw their nominations until June 11. Voting will be conducted on June 18 between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM, followed by counting of votes at 5:00 PM on the same day. The entire election process is expected to conclude by June 20, 2026.
The Commission has also directed that only the integrated violet-coloured sketch pen provided by the Returning Officer should be used for marking preferences on ballot papers, with no other writing instruments permitted.
Officials said adequate monitoring measures will be in place to ensure a free, fair, and transparent conduct of the bye-election.
