Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Legislative Assembly Secretariat on Monday issued an official notification for the by-election to the Rajya Sabha seat vacant due to Debashish Samantaray's resignation, setting the stage for a politically charged contest.

According to the notification, nominations will be accepted from June 2 to June 8, with scrutiny scheduled for June 9. Candidates can withdraw till June 11. Polling will take place on June 18, followed by counting the same day.

Assembly Secretary Satyabrata Rout has been appointed Returning Officer, while Joint Secretary Bidyadhar Majhi will serve as Assistant Returning Officer.

Samantaray, who quit the Rajya Sabha on May 25, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) the very next day. Speculation is rife that the BJP may field him again for the same seat, potentially paving the way for his swift return to Parliament less than a month after resigning.