Error in Rajya Sabha Election Notification Corrected by Law Ministry

The Union Law and Justice Ministry has rescinded a gazette notification that mistakenly renotified the results of by-elections to three Rajya Sabha seats from West Bengal, instead of the result for a seat from Mizoram, according to government and Election Commission sources.

The original notification, published on July 17 and again on July 20, had incorrectly listed the results for former Trinamool Congress MPs Sushmita Dev, Prakash Chik Baraik, and Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, who had joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in June and were re-elected on BJP tickets. The correct notification should have pertained to the biennial election to a Rajya Sabha seat from Mizoram.

In a notification dated July 22, the Legislative Department stated: “In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 67 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (43 of 1951), the Central Government hereby rescinds the notifications issued vide S.O. 3955 (E), S.O. 3956 (E) and S.O. 3957 (E), dated the 17th July, 2026, published in the Gazette of India on 20th July, 2026 relating to the results of Biennial election to the Council of States.”

The error came to light after the Election Commission pointed out the discrepancy. The rescission ensures that the correct results, as notified earlier, stand. The three West Bengal seats were filled through by-elections necessitated by the resignation of the former TMC members. The Mizoram seat fell vacant due to the completion of term of a sitting member.

The government has since issued a corrected notification for the Mizoram election result. The process underscores the checks in place to ensure accuracy in official communications.