Bihar MLC polls 2026: Voting underway for 8 seats, results on Oct 27
Synopsis
Bihar's eight MLC seats went to polls on 23 October with 150 candidates and over 5 lakh voters deciding outcomes across graduate and teacher constituencies. The Patna Graduates' seat is the flashpoint — a JD(U) rebel is backing a Jan Suraaj rival against his own party's candidate, making counting day on 27 October a test of both NDA cohesion and Prashant Kishor's electoral ambitions.
Key Takeaways
Polling for 8 Bihar MLC seats began at 8 am on 23 October and continues until 4 pm ; counting on 27 October .
150 candidates are contesting — 90 in graduate constituencies and 60 in teacher constituencies.
Total eligible voters: 5,32,847 — 3,86,199 men , 1,46,611 women , and 37 of third gender .
BJP and JD(U) are contesting 4 seats each ; Jan Suraaj Party has fielded candidates in all 8 seats .
The Patna Graduates' constituency is the key battleground, with JD(U) MLA Anant Singh backing a rival candidate against his own party's nominee.
Darbhanga Graduates' constituency has the highest candidate count at 40 .
Polling for eight Bihar Legislative Council (MLC) seats began at 8 am on Friday, 23 October, with 150 candidates contesting across graduate and teacher constituencies. A total of 5,32,847 eligible voters are casting their ballots until 4 pm, with counting scheduled for 27 October.
Constituencies and Voter Breakdown
The election spans four graduate constituencies — Patna, Darbhanga, Tirhut, and Kosi — and four teacher constituencies — Patna, Darbhanga, Tirhut, and Saran. Unlike regular Assembly elections, graduate constituencies are restricted to registered graduates, while only eligible teachers may vote in teacher constituencies.
Of the total voters, 3,86,199 are men, 1,46,611 are women, and 37 belong to the third gender. Graduate constituencies account for 4,92,594 voters, while the four teacher constituencies together have 40,253 voters.
Candidate Count and Key Contests
Of the 150 candidates in the fray, 90 are contesting in graduate constituencies and 60 in teacher constituencies. The Darbhanga Graduates' constituency has the highest number of contestants at 40, while the Patna Teachers' and Saran Teachers' constituencies each have 18 candidates.
The Patna Graduates' constituency has emerged as a key battleground. Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)] candidate Neeraj Kumar, after casting his vote, flashed a victory sign and expressed confidence in his prospects. Notably, his campaign faces an internal headwind — Anant Singh, an MLA from his own party, has extended support to Jan Suraaj Party candidate Dr Anuj Kumar. A total of 134 polling stations have been set up in the Patna Graduates' constituency — 80 in Patna district, 37 in Nalanda, and 17 in Nawada.
Political Alignments and Party Stakes
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and JD(U), both constituents of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), are contesting four seats each. Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj Party has fielded candidates across all eight constituencies, signalling an aggressive electoral debut. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), the Indian National Congress, and several other parties are also in contention, with independent candidates further widening competition in multiple constituencies.
Voting Process and What Comes Next
Voters are casting their ballots using ballot papers — not electronic voting machines — in line with standard procedure for these council elections. After polling concludes at 4 pm, ballot boxes will be secured at designated counting centres. The results, to be declared on 27 October, will determine winners across all eight seats and offer a fresh read on the relative strength of Bihar's political formations ahead of the next state cycle.
Point of View
But the Bihar council elections are a useful barometer for sub-electoral sentiment — particularly for Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj Party, which is contesting all eight seats in what amounts to a credibility test after its grassroots mobilisation claims. The more revealing subplot is within the NDA itself: an JD(U) MLA publicly backing a rival in the Patna Graduates' seat points to intra-alliance friction that the coalition has officially papered over. If Jan Suraaj dents NDA vote shares here, it signals organised opposition where none formally existed — a result worth watching well before the next state election cycle.
NationPress
23 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Bihar MLC election 2026 and when will results be declared?
Polling for eight Bihar Legislative Council seats is taking place on 23 October 2026, from 8 am to 4 pm. Counting is scheduled for 27 October, when results will be declared.
Who is eligible to vote in Bihar's graduate and teacher constituencies?
In graduate constituencies, only registered eligible graduates are entitled to vote. In teacher constituencies, only eligible teachers may cast their ballot. This differs from regular Assembly elections, which are open to all adult voters.
Which parties are contesting the Bihar MLC elections?
The BJP and JD(U), both NDA partners, are contesting four seats each. Jan Suraaj Party, led by Prashant Kishor, has fielded candidates in all eight seats. The RJD, Congress, and several other parties and independent candidates are also in the fray.
Why is the Patna Graduates' constituency significant?
It is considered the key battleground of this election. JD(U) candidate Neeraj Kumar is facing opposition from within his own party — MLA Anant Singh has backed Jan Suraaj candidate Dr Anuj Kumar, highlighting intra-alliance tensions. The constituency has 134 polling stations spread across Patna, Nalanda, and Nawada districts.
How many candidates are contesting and what is the voter turnout potential?
A total of 150 candidates are contesting the eight seats, with 5,32,847 eligible voters. The Darbhanga Graduates' constituency has the highest number of candidates at 40, while graduate constituencies together account for 4,92,594 of the total voters.
