Rajya Sabha By-Election: Polling for Koel Mallick’s Vacant West Bengal Seat on October 16

The Election Commission has announced the schedule for the Rajya Sabha by-election to the West Bengal seat that fell vacant after the resignation of Koel Mallick. Polling will be held on October 16, 2026, during the Durga Puja period.

According to the Election Commission schedule, the notification will be issued on September 29. The last date for filing nominations is October 6, scrutiny will take place on October 7 and candidates can withdraw their nominations until October 9.

Why the seat is vacant

Koel Mallick resigned from the Rajya Sabha on July 16, 2026. She had been nominated by the Trinamool Congress earlier this year and had taken oath as a Rajya Sabha member in April. Her resignation created the vacancy for which the by-election has now been scheduled.

Election schedule

The West Bengal Rajya Sabha by-election will be held on October 16, with polling and counting scheduled for the same day. The same date has also been fixed for Rajya Sabha elections to 10 seats in Uttar Pradesh and one seat in Uttarakhand.

Political developments around the vacancy

After resigning, Mallick met Union minister Bhupender Yadav in Delhi on the same day, according to reports. The meeting generated political discussion, but no official decision on a candidate for the vacant seat has been announced in the Election Commission schedule.

The Election Commission has therefore begun the formal electoral process, with the nomination window opening after the September 29 notification.