Rajya Sabha Elections in Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab Scheduled for October 24

The Election Commission of India has announced that elections will be held on October 24, 2025, to fill vacant Rajya Sabha seats in Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab. These elections are significant as they mark the restoration of representation for Jammu & Kashmir in the Upper House of Parliament after a hiatus of over four years.

Jammu & Kashmir: Four Seats to Be Filled
The four Rajya Sabha seats from Jammu & Kashmir have been vacant since February 2021, following the retirement of members Mir Mohammad Fayaz, Shamsher Singh, Ghulam Nabi Azad, and Nazir Ahmed Laway. These vacancies remained unfilled due to the reorganization of the state into a Union Territory and the absence of a legislative assembly to elect new representatives. With the formation of the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly in November 2024, the Election Commission has now scheduled elections to fill these seats. Notably, the seat previously held by Ghulam Nabi Azad is now allocated to Jammu & Kashmir, as the seat for Ladakh has been merged into it.

Punjab: By-Election for One Seat
In Punjab, a by-election is scheduled to fill the Rajya Sabha seat that became vacant following the resignation of AAP MP Sanjeev Arora on July 1, 2025. Arora resigned after winning the Ludhiana West Assembly by-election. The Aam Aadmi Party is expected to nominate a candidate for this seat, with speculation about whether the party will choose a prominent leader or another individual, possibly an industrialist. The selection process will be overseen by national convener Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, and the party’s political affairs committee.

Election Process and Schedule
The Election Commission has set the date for voting and counting on October 24, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Nominations for the elections will begin on October 6, and the last date for withdrawal of candidatures is October 16. This schedule ensures that the elections are conducted in a timely manner, allowing for the restoration of full representation in the Rajya Sabha.

Conclusion:
The upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab are crucial for re-establishing legislative representation in these regions. For Jammu & Kashmir, these elections signify a return to active participation in national policymaking after several years. In Punjab, the by-election presents an opportunity for the Aam Aadmi Party to reinforce its presence in the Upper House. As the election date approaches, political parties in both regions are expected to finalize their strategies and candidates to secure the vacant seats.