The deadline for Dáil TDs and outgoing Senators to make nominations for the Seanad is today.
The 1,000 electors with the task of filling the 43 available seats are city and county councillors, members of the new Dáil and members of the outgoing Seanad.
Eighty-three candidates have put their names forward so far.
The winning Senators will represent a range of sectors of society including cultural and educational, agriculture, labour, industrial and commercial and administrative.
Four of the places on the agriculture and labour panels must be filled by nominees of vocational organisations or those nominated by members of the Oireachtas.
Three of the places on the industrial and commercial and administrative panels and two of those on the cultural and educational panels, must be filled by each category.
Another six Senators will be elected by the alumni of Trinity College and the National University of Ireland.
The remaining 11 Senators will be appointed by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
Meanwhile, Mr Ahern this evening announced appointments to the Seanad to fill the vacancies created by the election of Mary O'Rourke, Micheal Kitt, Cyrpian Brady and Brendan Kenneally to the Dáil.
Mr Ahern appointmented Donie Cassidy, Chris Wall, Sean Dorgan and Peter Sands for the remaining life of the present Seanad, July 22nd.
Mr Cassidy is also being appointed as Leader of the House.