Legislative Council Polls: Counting Begins for 28 Seats Across 4 States
Counting is underway for 28 Legislative Council seats across UP, Bihar, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. Find out the key political battles here.
The high-stakes Legislative Council vote counting has officially commenced today, October 27, 2026, across four major Indian states. Starting at 8:00 AM, election officials began tabulating votes for 28 seats in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. This follows the voting process that took place on October 23, with the entire electoral cycle scheduled to wrap up by October 31, 2026.
Uttar Pradesh: High Stakes and Administrative Crackdown
In Uttar Pradesh, the focus is on 11 contested seats, which include six teacher constituencies and five graduate constituencies. The results are being watched with intense scrutiny, particularly by the Samajwadi Party, as the outcome is pivotal for the party to maintain its position as the Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council.
However, the process has not been without controversy. The Election Commission has taken strict action by suspending six officials following reports of irregularities and allegations of booth capturing in Agra.
Bihar: A Crowded Race with New Players
Bihar is seeing a fierce battle for eight seats, split evenly between teacher and graduate constituencies. With 150 candidates in the fray, the political atmosphere is electric. Counting centers are active across Purnia, Chhapra, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, and Patna.
The contest has drawn significant attention due to the involvement of prominent figures such as MLA Anant Singh and JDU MLC Neeraj Kumar. Additionally, the entry of Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraj party has added a new dimension to the electoral competition in the state.
Maharashtra: Alliance Clash
Maharashtra presents one of the most crowded contests, with 182 candidates vying for just five seats. The battle is divided as follows:
- Graduate Divisions: Nagpur, Pune, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
- Teacher Divisions: Pune and Amravati.
The race has evolved into a direct confrontation between the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the Maha Vikas Aghadi, making these seats a litmus test for their respective strengths.
Karnataka: The Three-Way Fight
In Karnataka, 43 candidates are competing for four seats—two for teachers and two for graduates. The political landscape here is a three-way struggle between the BJP, the Congress party, and the JD(S). Notably, the JD(S) has concentrated its efforts on the Bangalore Teachers' constituency as part of a strategic electoral alliance.
Security and Transparency
To ensure the integrity of the results, the authorities have implemented strict security measures at all counting centers. The Election Commission of India is providing real-time updates and detailed results through its official portal to maintain complete transparency throughout the process.