The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced that elections for four vacant Rajya Sabha seats from the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir will be held on October 24, 2025. This marks a significant step in restoring legislative representation for the region, which has been under President’s Rule since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
The polling will take place in the newly constituted Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, which was elected earlier this year. The notification for the elections will be issued on October 3, with the last date for nominations set as October 10. Scrutiny will be conducted on October 11, and the deadline for withdrawal is October 14. Counting of votes will occur on October 24, immediately after polling concludes.
These Rajya Sabha seats have remained vacant since the reorganization of the erstwhile state into a Union Territory. The upcoming elections are expected to reflect the new political dynamics in the region, with parties like the BJP, National Conference, and PDP vying for influence.
The ECI has assured that all necessary arrangements will be made to ensure free and fair elections, including deployment of observers and adherence to the Model Code of Conduct.
Political analysts view this development as a litmus test for democratic normalization in Jammu and Kashmir, especially amid ongoing debates over statehood restoration and delimitation.