Mumbai: The lone by-election to the Rajya Sabha from Maharashtra will see a direct contest between Hussain Dalwai (Congress) and Surendra Mane (BJP).
This will be for the first time since election to Rajya Sabha was made through open ballot, that an election will be held.
In Wednesday’s scrutiny of papers, nomination of both Dalwai and Mane were found valid, officials said.
The last date of withdrawal of nomination papers is July 15 and election if necessary will be held on July 22.
If both the candidates remain in fray, it will be for the first time that polling will be held for Rajya Sabha
election.
"Since the act came into existence in 2003, it has been implemented for all elections since 2004. In the open ballot, the voter (MLA) will have to record his vote and display the voting slip to the party whip before inserting it into the ballot box.
"If the vote is not according to the whip issued by the respective party, the whip will inform the returning officer, who in turn will keep the voter slip in a separate box," officials said.
The by-election has been necessitated because of the resignation of Prithviraj Chavan as MP in April this year.
Chavan, who was MOS in the Prime Minister`s Office (PMO) was a two-time Rajya Sabha member before being asked to take charge as Maharashtra Chief Minister in November last year.
The 288-member legislative assembly forms the electoral college for the by-election. There is one nominated member by the Governor. However, nominated member cannot vote for Rajya Sabha election.
PTI
