Chandigarh: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced the schedule for the Rajya Sabha bye-election from Punjab, following the resignation of Sh. Sanjeev Arora on July 1, 2025. The term of the vacant seat will continue until April 9, 2028.
The bye-election will be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and the rules framed thereunder. The nomination process will begin on October 6, 2025, and the last date for filing nominations is October 13, 2025. Nominations will not be accepted on gazetted public holidays as per Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act. The scrutiny of nominations is scheduled for October 14, 2025, and the final date for withdrawal of candidature is October 16, 2025. If polling is necessary, it will be held on October 24, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and the election process is expected to be completed by October 28, 2025.
In consultation with the Government of Punjab, the ECI has designated Ram Lok Khatana, Secretary of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Secretariat, as the Returning Officer for the bye-election. Jaswinder Singh, Deputy Secretary of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Secretariat, will serve as the Assistant Returning Officer to assist in managing the election process.
