Bengaluru, Nov 3 (IANS): Bye-election to the lone Rajya Sabha seat from Karnataka would be held on December 1 to fill the vacancy caused by the death of ruling BJP member Ashok Gasti recently, an official said on Monday.

"The Election Commission will issue notification for the Rajya Sabha bye-election from the southern state on November 11 to fill the vacancy caused by Gasti's death at a private hospital in Bengaluru on September 17," said the official in a statement here.

Gasti, 55, had succumbed to Covid-19.

He was elected unopposed to the Upper House on June 12 along with Iranna Kadadi of the BJP. He also took oath as a member of the Upper House on July 22 in the Parliament house in New Delhi.

An advocate by profession, Gasti hailed from the barber community and belonged to Raichur district in the state's northern region.

The last date for filing nomination is November 18 and the last date for withdrawing it is November 23.

The polling will be held from 9 am to 4 pm in the state legislative wing at the Vidhana Soudha.