MLC counting underway for 28 seats in UP, Bihar, Maharashtra, Karnataka
Synopsis
Counting for 28 Legislative Council seats across four major states kicked off simultaneously at 8 am on Tuesday, with BJP facing simultaneous tests in UP, Bihar, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. The ECI also suspended six supervisory officers over alleged lapses in UP's Agra Teachers' constituency — a rare mid-election disciplinary move that adds a sharp edge to the day's results.
Key Takeaways
Counting for 28 MLC seats across UP , Bihar , Maharashtra , and Karnataka began at 8 am on 27 October 2026 ; results expected by evening.
Uttar Pradesh has 11 seats at stake, with 152 candidates and 14,81,310 registered voters across 72 districts .
Bihar recorded an 82.85% turnout in Teachers' constituencies and 53.42% in Graduates' constituencies across 8 seats .
Maharashtra sees 182 candidates contest 5 seats ; Karnataka has 4 seats spanning 17 districts in a BJP–JD(S) vs Congress fight.
The ECI ordered suspension of 6 supervisory officers and disciplinary proceedings against 21 officials and personnel over alleged lapses in UP's Agra Teachers' constituency .
Counting of votes for 28 Legislative Council seats across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, and Karnataka began at 8 am on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, with the Election Commission of India (ECI) expected to declare full results by evening. Polling for these seats was held on 23 October, and initial trends were anticipated within hours of counting commencing.
Uttar Pradesh: 11 Seats, 152 Candidates
Counting is underway for 11 Legislative Council seats in Uttar Pradesh, with 152 candidates in the fray across five Graduates' constituencies and six Teachers' constituencies. The state recorded 14,81,310 registered voters spread across 2,697 polling stations in 72 districts. Notably, Kanpur Nagar, Kanpur Dehat, and Unnao were excluded from the electoral exercise.
The primary contest is between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Samajwadi Party (SP), with Independent candidates and party rebels also featuring on the ballot. In a significant pre-result development, the ECI on Monday ordered the immediate suspension of six supervisory officers and initiated disciplinary proceedings against five presiding officers and 16 police personnel over alleged dereliction of duty and supervisory lapses during the biennial election from the Agra Teachers' constituency, according to reports.
Bihar: Tight Security at Counting Centres
In Bihar, counting began at 8 am for eight Legislative Council seats — four Graduates' constituencies and four Teachers' constituencies — with 150 candidates contesting. Strict security arrangements are in place at counting centres, with entry restricted to pass-holders and mobile phones prohibited inside.
Magistrate Anugya said, 'We are checking everyone. All those who have been issued passes and ID cards, including representatives, counting agents and our staff, are being checked. No one is allowed to carry a mobile phone inside. We are checking everyone.'
Bihar recorded a voter turnout of 82.85% in Teachers' constituencies and 53.42% in Graduates' constituencies. The results will determine the electoral fortunes of candidates fielded by the BJP, Janata Dal (United), and other parties — 90 candidates contesting Graduates' seats and 60 in Teachers' seats.
Maharashtra and Karnataka: Key Contests to Watch
In Maharashtra, 182 candidates are contesting five Legislative Council seats, covering three Graduates' constituencies in Pune, Nagpur, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, alongside two Teachers' constituencies in Pune and Amravati.
In Karnataka, elections are being held for four Legislative Council seats spanning 17 districts. The contest is primarily between the Congress and the BJP–Janata Dal (Secular) alliance, with the Bengaluru and North-East Teachers' constituencies, as well as the West and South-East Graduates' constituencies, among the seats drawing the most attention.
What the Results Signal
These biennial MLC elections — covering Graduates' and Teachers' constituencies — are considered a barometer of ground-level party organisation rather than direct popular sentiment, given their restricted electorate. This comes amid heightened political activity in all four states, with the outcomes likely to influence internal party narratives ahead of upcoming assembly and local body elections. Full results are expected by Tuesday evening.
Point of View
But their political signal is outsized — particularly in UP, where BJP's performance in Graduates' and Teachers' constituencies is a proxy for its hold over the educated middle class ahead of the 2027 assembly cycle. The ECI's pre-result suspension of six supervisory officers is the more consequential subplot: it suggests institutional lapses significant enough to warrant emergency action, and the disciplinary proceedings against 21 officials could cast a shadow over the legitimacy of outcomes in the affected constituency. Karnataka's BJP–JD(S) alliance performance will also be watched as a real-world test of a coalition whose durability has been questioned since its formation.
NationPress
27 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many MLC seats are being counted on 27 October 2026?
Counting is underway for 28 Legislative Council seats across four states — 11 in Uttar Pradesh, 8 in Bihar, 5 in Maharashtra, and 4 in Karnataka. Polling was held on 23 October 2026, and full results are expected by Tuesday evening.
What constituencies are included in the UP MLC elections?
The UP MLC elections cover five Graduates' constituencies and six Teachers' constituencies across 72 districts, with 14,81,310 registered voters and 152 candidates in the fray. Kanpur Nagar, Kanpur Dehat, and Unnao were excluded from the exercise.
Why did the ECI suspend officers ahead of UP MLC results?
The Election Commission of India ordered the immediate suspension of six supervisory officers and initiated disciplinary proceedings against five presiding officers and 16 police personnel over alleged dereliction of duty during the Agra Teachers' constituency election. The action was announced on Monday, a day before counting began.
What was the voter turnout in Bihar's MLC elections?
Bihar recorded an 82.85% turnout in Teachers' constituencies and 53.42% in Graduates' constituencies. A total of 150 candidates contested eight seats, with 90 in Graduates' and 60 in Teachers' constituencies.
Which parties are the main contestants in the Karnataka MLC elections?
In Karnataka, the primary contest is between the Congress party and the BJP–Janata Dal (Secular) alliance across four seats spanning 17 districts. Key constituencies include Bengaluru and North-East Teachers', and West and South-East Graduates' seats.
