Shillong, Apr 3: The Election Commission of India on Friday announced deferment of the Rajya Sabha elections scheduled for April 9 and April 12 respectively in view of the coronavirus pandemic.

Elections to 18 seats were scheduled to be held on the given dates in seven states — four seats each in Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh, three each in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, two in Jharkhand and one each in Manipur and Meghalaya.

Elections to the 17 seats were to be held on April 9, and for the lone Rajya Sabha seat in Meghalaya was fixed on April 12.

“Fresh date of poll and counting for the said biennial elections shall be intimated in due course after reviewing the prevailing situation,” the ECI said in a statement.

Earlier, the Rajya Sabha elections was fixed to be held on March 26.