Companion@360 → 7 Month programme to sharpen your writing skills → REGISTER NOW
Polling to Rajya Sabha
Polling to Rajya Sabha, scattered over nine states including in 18 seats that are deferred due to corona pandemic is held on 19th June.
Composition/Strength
- Article 80 of the Constitution lays down the maximum strength of Rajya Sabha as 250, out of which 12 members are nominated by the President and 238 are representatives of the States and of the two Union Territories.
- The present strength of Rajya Sabha, however, is 245, out of which 233 are representatives of the States and Union territories of Delhi and Puducherry and 12 are nominated by the President.
- The members nominated by the President are persons having special knowledge or practical experience in respect of such matters as literature, science, art and social service.
Allocation of Seats
The Fourth Schedule to the Constitution provides for allocation of seats to the States and Union Territories in Rajya Sabha. The allocation of seats is made on the basis of the population of each State.
Process for Election/Nomination
- Rajya Sabha is a permanent House and is not subject to dissolution. However, one-third Members of Rajya Sabha retire after every second year.
- The representatives of the States and of the Union Territories in the Rajya Sabha are elected by the method of indirect election.
- The representatives of each State and two Union territories are elected by the elected members of the Legislative Assembly of that State and by the members of the Electoral College for that Union Territory, as the case may be, in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote.
Read Also Electoral reforms in India