Bhubaneswar, May 27 -- The Election Commission of India has announced the schedule for the Rajya Sabha by-election in Odisha, with polling slated to be held on June 18.

The bypoll has become necessary following the resignation of Debashish Samantaray from the Upper House.

Samantaray resigned from the Rajya Sabha after quitting the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), leading to the vacancy of the seat.

According to the schedule released by the Election Commission, the official notification for the by-election will be issued on June 1.

June 8 has been fixed as the last date for filing nominations for the Rajya Sabha seat.

Scrutiny of nomination papers and subsequent election formalities will be conducted...