New Delhi: The Election Commission of India on Thursday announced the schedule for bienniel Rajya Sabha polls for the election of next President and Vice-President of India. Chief Election Commissioner, Rajiv Kumar, in a press conference, informed that the term of current President of India, Ram Nath Kovind will come to an end on July 24. 

Announcing the schedule for the upcoming election, the CEC said that last date for nomination will be June 29 whereas polling, if necessary, shall be held on July 18 and the votes will be counted on July 21, 2022 in New Delhi. 


Here are the other key highlights of the Rajya Sabha Election 2022 as told by CEC Rajiv Kumar. 


While the Members of Parliament and Members of Legeslative Assemblies are expected to caste vote their at the designated place inside Parliament House or respective State Assembly. However in case of any emergency or requirement, the MPs or MLAs will be able to vote at any voting location with prior information to the Election Commission ten days before. 


Polling will be held through secret ballot. "No concept of open voting in this election, showing ballot to anyone under any circumstance will render the vote invalid," the CEC said. 


The Election Commission would provide the pen for marking ballot paper for polling and the MPs and MLAs will have to mark the compartment in the ballot only with the pen provided. Use of any other pen for marking the ballot will render the vote invalid.  


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Political parties cannot issue whip to their MPs and MLAs in the matter of voting for the presidential election. 


The CEC, Rajiv Kumar said that while the situation of Covid-19 is not very serious at the moment but covid protocol will be followed during polling and counting. The commission would also ensure use of eco-friendly and bio-degredable material and eliminate the use of prohibited plastic material altogether, he added. 


The Election Commission has also prepared a list of Frequently Asked Questions containing answers to 25 such questions which have been uploaded on the commission's webiste.