Yog Raj Sharma
The North News
Shimla, February 18
Election Commission of India has announced the schedule for elections to the Rajya Sabha seat from Himachal Pradesh, setting 16 March as the polling and counting date.
The vacancy arises as the term of sitting MP Indu Goswami ends on 9 April.
According to the schedule, the notification will be issued on 26 February. Nominations can be filed until 5 March, with scrutiny set for 6 March. Candidates may withdraw their names by 9 March. Voting and counting will take place on 16 March, and the entire process is expected to conclude before 20 March.
The election has stirred political interest in the hill state, recalling the 2024 Rajya Sabha contest when cross-voting by Congress legislators led to the defeat of party candidate Abhishek Manu Singhvi despite the party holding a majority. The seat was eventually won by the BJP’s Harsh Mahajan.
The outcome of the upcoming vote will depend on the strength of parties in the 68-member Himachal Pradesh Assembly. At present, the Congress holds 40 seats, while the BJP has 28, making the contest appear largely procedural unless unexpected developments emerge during nominations.
