Six candidates from major political parties in Tamil Nadu have been elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha, the Upper House of Parliament. The elected candidates include DMK leaders Tiruchi Siva and J. Constandine Ravindran, AIADMK’s M. Thambi Durai, PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss, Congress nominee Christopher Manickam, and DMDK leader L.K. Sudhish.
The Returning Officer formally announced their election and handed over the certificates of election to the candidates. This declaration followed the nomination and scrutiny process, where it was evident that no contest would be needed. The Election Commission’s procedure allows candidates to be declared elected unopposed when the number of valid nominations matches the available seats.
These candidates were elected under specific sections of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, which permit such declarations without a poll. Initially, 18 individuals had filed nominations for the six seats, but one candidate withdrew before the deadline, and seven others had their nominations rejected during scrutiny, leaving only six valid candidates.
Among the elected candidates, Tiruchi Siva of the DMK and AIADMK veteran M. Thambi Durai are returning to the Rajya Sabha after completing their previous terms. PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss has also secured another term in the Upper House. Meanwhile, Congress candidate Christopher Manickam and DMDK’s L.K. Sudhish will be entering the Rajya Sabha for the first time.
