ECI announces Odisha Rajya Sabha bypoll schedule, voting on June 18
Synopsis
The ECI has set 18 June as polling day for the Odisha Rajya Sabha bypoll, triggered by founder BJD member Debashish Samantaray resigning his seat — and immediately crossing over to the BJP. The defection cuts BJD's Upper House strength to five and signals deepening cracks in Naveen Patnaik's party after its 2024 state election defeat.
Key Takeaways
The Election Commission of India announced the Odisha Rajya Sabha bypoll schedule on 27 May 2025 .
Polling is scheduled for 18 June from 9 am to 4 pm ; counting begins at 5 pm the same day.
Debashish Samantaray resigned from the BJD and the Rajya Sabha, citing continuous sidelining within the party.
Samantaray joined the BJP on Tuesday at the party's headquarters in New Delhi .
His resignation reduces the BJD's Rajya Sabha strength to five members .
Samantaray was originally elected in April 2024 and was due to serve until 3 April 2030 .
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday, 27 May announced the schedule for the Rajya Sabha bypoll from Odisha, triggered by the resignation of Debashish Samantaray from both the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Upper House. The bypoll process is set to conclude before 20 June.
Key Dates in the Bypoll Schedule
According to the schedule released by the ECI, the official notification will be issued on 1 June. Candidates must file their nominations by 8 June, with scrutiny of nomination papers scheduled for 9 June. The last date for withdrawal of candidatures is 11 June.
Polling will be held on 18 June between 9 am and 4 pm, with counting of votes commencing at 5 pm on the same day. The Commission confirmed the entire bypoll process will wrap up before 20 June.
Why the Seat Fell Vacant
Debashish Samantaray, a founder member of the BJD, submitted his resignation on Monday to Vice-President and Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan, citing continuous sidelining within the party. He had been elected to the Rajya Sabha in April 2024 and was originally due to serve until 3 April 2030.
His exit has reduced the BJD's strength in the Rajya Sabha to five members, dealing a significant blow to the regional party led by Naveen Patnaik.
Samantaray Joins BJP
A day after resigning from the BJD, Samantaray formally joined the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday at a programme held at the party's headquarters in New Delhi. The switch underscores the ongoing political churn in Odisha following the BJP's victory in the state assembly elections.
Notably, Samantaray is a three-time member of the Odisha Legislative Assembly, having represented the Tirtol and Barabati-Cuttack constituencies across three terms between 2000 and 2019.
Broader Political Context
Samantaray's resignation and defection to the BJP is the latest in a series of exits that have steadily eroded the BJD's presence in Parliament. This comes amid a broader weakening of the party's position after it lost power in Odisha in 2024. The bypoll outcome will be closely watched as a measure of the BJP's consolidation in the state and the BJD's ability to mount a credible challenge for the vacant seat.
With the full schedule now in place, political activity around the Rajya Sabha seat is expected to intensify over the coming weeks.
Point of View
Which elects Rajya Sabha members. The real question is whether the party can arrest further departures before its Upper House presence shrinks to symbolic levels.
NationPress
12 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the schedule for the Odisha Rajya Sabha bypoll announced by the ECI?
The Election Commission of India announced that the notification will be issued on 1 June, nominations close on 8 June, scrutiny is on 9 June, and the withdrawal deadline is 11 June. Polling will be held on 18 June from 9 am to 4 pm, with counting starting at 5 pm the same day, and the entire process will conclude before 20 June.
Why did Debashish Samantaray resign from the Rajya Sabha?
Debashish Samantaray resigned citing continuous sidelining within the BJD. He submitted his resignation from both the party's primary membership and the Rajya Sabha, addressing his party letter to BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik and his parliamentary resignation to Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan.
Which party did Debashish Samantaray join after resigning from BJD?
Samantaray joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday, a day after resigning from the BJD, at a formal programme held at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi.
How does Samantaray's resignation affect the BJD in the Rajya Sabha?
His resignation reduces the BJD's strength in the Rajya Sabha to five members, weakening the regional party's presence in the Upper House at a time when it is already rebuilding after its 2024 state election defeat.
Who was Debashish Samantaray before his Rajya Sabha tenure?
Samantaray is a founder member of the BJD and a three-time MLA who represented the Tirtol and Barabati-Cuttack constituencies in the Odisha Legislative Assembly across terms spanning 2000 to 2019.
