J&K Rajya Sabha Seats Vacant Again During Vice-Presidential Polls

Quick Summary

• The four Rajya Sabha seats from Jammu and Kashmir will remain vacant during the Vice Presidential election.
• Members of both Houses of Parliament will elect the 17th Vice-President on September 9.
• Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has been unrepresented in the Upper House since February 2021, as biennial polls have not been held following Assembly elections nearly 10 months ago.
• Rajya Sabha members are elected by MLAs from their respective States/UTs.
• Jagdeep Dhankhar, the outgoing Vice-President, resigned in July due to health issues; his term was scheduled until August 2027.
• The effective strength for voting is currently 781 parliamentarians; with a winning candidate requiring at least 391 votes (proportional representation system).
• Of these vacancies: four Rajya Sabha seats belong to J&K, one seat each from Punjab and Jharkhand. Lok Sabha’s Basirhat seat in West bengal is also vacant.
• NDA holds firm support with approximately 422 out of total eligible voters across both Houses.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The absence of representatives from Jammu & Kashmir in key constitutional processes like a Vice Presidential election raises questions about democratic inclusiveness and representation for this Union Territory. Despite conducting Assembly elections nearly ten months back, failure to hold biennial polls for its MPs leaves J&K citizens without voice in critical federal decisions. While procedural delays may account for this vacuum, ensuring timely electoral processes remains essential for upholding representative democracy under India’s Constitution.

The larger context implies that NDA’s substantial majority continues to ease decision-making thresholds-having secured sufficient parliamentary support across party lines. Though, fostering functional democracy warrants addressing pending vacancies across States/UTs promptly rather than relying solely on present numerical dominance.

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