The Election Commission on Monday announced that by-elections to three Rajya Sabha seats from West Bengal will be held on July 24 following the resignation of three former Trinamool Congress members from the Upper House last month.
The vacancies arose after Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, Sushmita Dev and Prakash Chik Baraik resigned from the Rajya Sabha and quit the Trinamool Congress in June amid a broader internal conflict within the party. Ray and Baraik were scheduled to serve until August 8, 2029, while Dev's tenure was due to end on April 2, 2030.
As per the schedule released by the Election Commission, the nomination process will begin on Tuesday and continue until July 14. Scrutiny of nomination papers is scheduled for July 15, while candidates will have until July 17 to withdraw their nominations.
Voting will take place between 9 am and 4 pm at the West Bengal Assembly on July 24. The counting of votes will commence from 5 pm on the same day.
With the BJP having secured victory in the West Bengal Assembly elections earlier this year, the outcome of these Rajya Sabha by-elections is expected to further strengthen the party's representation in the Upper House.
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