The Election Commission of India announced a by-election to fill the Rajya Sabha seat vacated by Debashish Samantaray, who resigned on May 25, 2026.
The Commission appointed Satyabrat Raut, Secretary of the Odisha Assembly, as Returning Officer and Vidyadhar Majhi, Joint Secretary, as Assistant Returning Officer for the election.
Nominations will be accepted between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., excluding official holidays. The last date for filing nominations is June 8, 2026. Scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on June 9, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. in the Conference Room on the ground floor of the Odisha Legislative Assembly.
Candidates may withdraw their nominations before 3 p.m. on June 11, 2026. If the election is contested, voting will occur on June 18, 2026, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. in Committee Room No. 54 of the Assembly. Counting will follow immediately, and results will be declared the same day.
The Election Commission confirmed that all election procedures will conclude by June 20, 2026. Officials emphasised that the entire process will be conducted under the Commission’s direct supervision to ensure transparency and fairness.
