The Election Commission of India has decided to hold biennial election to 16 States and a bye-election to the Council of States from Kerala in accordance with the following programme: -.
| Sl.No. | Subject of Programme | Dates and Days |
| Issue of Notifications | 5th March, 2018 (Monday) | |
| Last Date of making nominations | 12th March, 2018 (Monday) | |
| Scrutiny of nominations | 13th March, 2018 (Tuesday) | |
| Last date for withdrawal of candidatures | 15th March, 2018 (Thursday) | |
| Date of Poll | 23rd March, 2018 (Friday) | |
| Hours of Poll | 9.00 A.M to 4.00 P.M. | |
| Counting of Votes | 23rd March, 2018 (Friday) at 5.00 P.M. | |
| Date before which election shall be completed | 26th March, 2018 (Monday) |
The term of office of 58 members of the Rajya Sabha elected from the following 16 States is due to expire on their retirement in April-May 2018 as detailed below:
| Name of State | No. of members retiring | Date of retirement |
|
3 | 02.04.2018 |
|
6 | 02.04.2018 |
|
1 | 02.04.2018 |
|
4 | 02.04.2018 |
|
1 | 02.04.2018 |
|
1 | 02.04.2018 |
|
4 | 02.04.2018 |
|
5 | 02.04.2018 |
|
6 | 02.04.2018 |
|
3 | 02.04.2018 |
|
10 | 02.04.2018 |
|
1 | 02.04.2018 |
|
5 | 02.04.2018 |
|
3 | 03.04.2018 |
|
3 | 03.04.2018 |
|
2 | 03.05.2018 |
Besides above, there is a casual vacancy to the Council of States from Kerala due to the resignation of Shri M.P. Veerendra Kumar on 20.12.2017 before the expiration of his term of office, which is up to and including 02.04.2022.
The Commission has directed that for the purpose of marking preference(s) on the ballot paper only integrated violet colour sketch pen(s) of pre-fixed specification, provided by the Returning Officer, shall be used. No other pen shall, under any circumstances, be used in the above said elections.
Adequate measures for close monitoring of the election process by appointing observers shall be taken to ensure free and fair election.
