New Delhi, March 3 (IANS) By-elections for the two Rajya Sabha seats in Punjab and Haryana, which fell vacant following the death of candidates, will be held March 29, the Election Commission said Saturday.

Announcing the poll schedule for the seats, the poll panel Saturday fixed March 12 for issuing notifications by President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and March 19 as the last date for filing nominations by candidates.

The last date for the withdrawal of candidature was slated on March 22, and March 29 as the date for voting. The result of by-elections would be out by 5 p.m. same day.

The two Rajya Sabha seats from Punjab and Haryana fell vacant following the death of Congress member from Punjab Sukhbans Kaur Bhinder Dec 15 last year and that of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member from Haryana Sumitra Mahajan Jan 19. While Bhinder's term was to expire April 9, 2010, Mahajan's was to last till April 9, 2008.

The terms of the two members elected to Punjab and Haryana seats of the Rajya Sabha would be till April 2010 and April 2008 respectively.