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Rajya Sabha Elections in 10 States
Upcoming elections in ten states will elect 37 members to the Rajya Sabha through state legislative assemblies. The process follows proportional representation using the Single Transferable Vote system.
Rajya Sabha Election System:
| Dimension | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Constitutional Provision | Article 80 of the Constitution governs the composition of the Rajya Sabha. |
| Total Strength | The Rajya Sabha can have a maximum of 250 members. |
| Elected Members | Up to 238 members are elected by the elected members of the State Legislative Assemblies. |
| Nominated Members | 12 members are nominated by the President for contributions in literature, science, art or social service. |
| Seat Allocation | The Fourth Schedule of the Constitution specifies the number of seats allocated to each state and union territory. |
| Electoral College | Rajya Sabha members are elected by the elected members of State Legislative Assemblies. |
| Union Territory Representation | Rajya Sabha members from Delhi, Puducherry and Jammu & Kashmir are elected by MLAs of those union territories. |
| Union Territories Without Representation | Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Chandigarh and Ladakh do not have representation. |
| Voting System | Elections use proportional representation through the Single Transferable Vote system. |
| Single Transferable Vote | MLAs rank candidates in order of preference and votes are transferred according to preferences until candidates reach the required quota. |
| Minimum Age | The minimum age to become a Rajya Sabha member is 30 years. |
| Term | Each Rajya Sabha member serves a six-year term. |
| Retirement System | One-third of the members retire every two years. |
| Nature of House | The Rajya Sabha is a permanent house and is never dissolved. |
| Quota Calculation | The required vote quota is calculated using a formula based on the number of MLAs and the number of seats being contested. |
| Quota Formula | Total number of MLAs ÷ (Number of vacant seats + 1) + 1. |
| Open Ballot System | MLAs must show their marked ballot to their party’s authorized agent before casting it to prevent cross-voting. |