New Delhi, March 16 -- The biennial elections to fill vacant seats in the Rajya Sabha are being held today, March 16, across 10 states, with counting of votes slated to take place from 5 pm.

The polls are being held to fill 37 vacancies across 10 states, namely Assam (3), Bihar (5), Chhattisgarh (2), Haryana (2), Himachal Pradesh (1), Maharashtra (7), Odisha (four), Tamil Nadu (6), Telangana (2), and West Bengal (5).

Nitish Kumar in particular came into focus ahead of the polls, with Bihar's longest-tenured Chief Minister announcing his move to the Rajya Sabha and filing his nomination papers in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and others.

"I seek to become a member of the Rajya Sabha in the elections being held this time....