Bhubaneswar, June 1 (BNP): The process for the Rajya Sabha by-election in Odisha formally began on Monday after the Election Commission of India (ECI) issued the official notification to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of former Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP Debashish Samantaray.

Announcing the schedule during a press conference in Bhubaneswar, Odisha Assembly Secretary Satyabrata Raut said the nomination process commenced on June 1 and will continue until June 8, the last date for filing nomination papers.

As per the election schedule, scrutiny of nominations will be conducted on June 9, while candidates will be allowed to withdraw their candidature until June 11. In the event of more than one candidate remaining in the fray, polling will be held on June 18, followed by counting of votes on the same day.

Election officials said the bypoll is being conducted to fill the vacancy arising from Samantaray’s resignation from the Upper House. Necessary arrangements have been made to ensure smooth conduct of the election process in accordance with prescribed procedures.

Authorities informed that the designated Returning Officer will supervise the election process, assisted by officials from the Assembly Secretariat for coordination and administrative oversight.

The Rajya Sabha seat fell vacant after Debashish Samantaray resigned from the Upper House on May 25, despite having a term scheduled to continue until April 2030. Samantaray, a senior political leader and founding member of the BJD, also stepped down from the party, citing alleged sidelining within the organisation.

In a significant political development, Samantaray subsequently joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) a day after resigning from the BJD, adding political significance to the upcoming by-election.

The bypoll is expected to attract attention across political circles in Odisha as parties prepare strategies and finalise candidates for the vacant parliamentary seat.