The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday, October 22, announced the schedule for the by-election to the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) from Madhya Pradesh, following the resignation of Member of Parliament L. Murugan. According to the Commission's press note, the vacancy arose on October 14, 2026, and Murugan's term in the Upper House was originally slated to conclude on April 2, 2030.
Source: ANI via DevDiscourse
Under the announced schedule, the notification for the by-poll will be issued on October 26, 2026. The last date for filing nominations is November 2, with scrutiny of nominations on November 3. Candidates can withdraw their candidatures until November 5.
Source: ANI via Daily Prabhat
Voting will take place on November 12, between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM, followed by the counting of votes on the same day at 5:00 PM. The entire election process is scheduled to be completed before November 16, the poll panel stated.
Source: IANS via BizzBuzz
Notification: October 26 · Nominations close: November 2 · Scrutiny: November 3 · Withdrawal deadline: November 5 · Polling: November 12 (9 AM–4 PM) · Counting: November 12, 5 PM · Process complete by: November 16.
The Commission has also directed that electors mark their preferences on the ballot paper only with the integrated violet-colour sketch pens of pre-fixed specification supplied by the Returning Officer, and that the use of any other pen is prohibited, according to the press note reported by BizzBuzz. Murugan, a BJP leader, had served as Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs before his resignation, Inshorts reported.