The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday issued a notification for by-election to the lone Rajya Sabha seat from Odisha. Elections will be held on May 25.
The election for the Rajya Sabha seat has become necessary following the resignation of Bishnu Charan Das.
As per the notification, the process of nomination, which will start with issue of a notification by the State Assembly Secretariat on May 8, will continue till May 15. Scrutiny of nominations will be held on May 16, and the last date for withdrawal of candidatures is May 18.
Immediately after the elections, counting of votes and announcement of results will take place on the same day.
BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik is yet to declare the candidate for which several names are doing the round. BJD Spokesperson Pratap Keshari Deo said Patnaik would take a decision at the appropriate time.
On March 21, Bishnu Das resigned from the Rajya Sabha after his appointment as Deputy Chairman of the State Planning Board and convener of the BJD Dalit Cell.