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Polling began at 8 a.m. today, October 23, for 28 Legislative Council seats across Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. The elections are taking place in graduates’ and teachers’ constituencies to fill vacancies due to the completion of sitting members’ tenures.
According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of seats at 11, followed by Bihar with eight, Maharashtra with five and Karnataka with four. Voting is slated to continue until 4 pm, while counting will take place on October 27. The election process is expected to end by October 31.
MLC Elections 2026: Which Seats See the Biggest Contest?
Uttar Pradesh is voting for five graduates’ and six teachers’ seats. The elections are drawing political intrigue before the state’s 2027 Assembly elections, with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Samajwadi Party (SP) seeking to bolster their positions in the Legislative Council.
The electoral result could provide political parties with proof of their organisational strength among graduates and teachers, although the electorate is restricted to registered voters in these constituencies.
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Bihar MLC Elections 2026 Cover Eight Seats
In Bihar, elections are being held for four graduates’ seats — Patna, Darbhanga, Tirhut and Kosi — and four teachers’ constituencies in Patna, Darbhanga, Tirhut and Saran.
A total of 150 candidates are competing for the eight seats, with approximately 5.32 lakh eligible voters. The Patna graduates’ constituency is among the closely watched contests, as political parties and candidates seek support from the electorate.
MLC Elections 2026: Maharashtra and Karnataka Also Vote
Maharashtra is also witnessing elections for three graduates’ and two teachers’ constituencies. The graduates’ seats encompass the Aurangabad, Pune and Nagpur divisions, while the teachers’ seats are in Amravati and Pune.
In Karnataka, voters are electing representatives for two graduates’ and two teachers’ constituencies. The competition covers Karnataka South-East and Karnataka West among graduates’ constituencies, and Karnataka North-East and Bengaluru among teachers’ seats.
Why Are MLC Elections 2026 Important?
Legislative Councils, also called Vidhan Parishads, comprise the upper houses in states with a bicameral legislature. Members elected from graduates’ and teachers’ constituencies represent specialised voter groups and help in the legislative process.
Although these elections do not encompass the general electorate, their results can impact the balance of political composition in state legislatures. The results, expected on October 27, will tell which candidates and parties have won support across the four states.
Who is an MPC, And How is it Different from an MLA?
An MLC (Member of Legislative Council) is a representative in the upper house of a state legislature, called the Vidhan Parishad. MLCs are elected indirectly by MLAs, local authorities, registered graduates, and teachers, while some are selected by the Governor.
Meanwhile, an MLA (Member of Legislative Assembly) represents a constituency in the Vidhan Sabha, or lower house, and is directly elected by voters. Both participate in lawmaking and take up public issues, but their powers are varied. The Legislative Assembly has more authority over government formation and financial bills, while the Council reviews legislation and can recommend amendments. An MLA generally has a five-year term, whereas an MLC serves six years, with one-third of Council members retiring every two years.
MLC Elections 2026: Why are they not using EVMs to vote?
Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are not utilised in the Member of Legislative Council (MLC) elections due to the key differences in the voting system.
The main reasons include:
• Preference-Based Voting System: Unlike general assembly or parliamentary elections, where a voter chooses just one candidate, some MLC seats use a proportional representation system through a Single Transferable Vote (STV). Voters select candidates in order of preference by writing numbers next to the names using a ballot paper process.