Election Commission sets dates for 28 Council seats in four states

From nomination to counting, here's the full timeline for the 28-seat Legislative Council elections announced by the ECI on Tuesday

PGurus Newsdesk

September 22, 2026

ECI announces polling on October 23 and counting on October 27 for 28 Legislative Council seats across UP, Bihar, Maharashtra and Karnataka

Four states, 28 seats: ECI’s Council election schedule out

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday unveiled the poll schedule for biennial elections to 28 Legislative Council seats spread across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra and Karnataka, as sitting members from these constituencies approach the end of their terms.

Uttar Pradesh holds the biggest share of the exercise with 11 seats — five Graduates’ constituencies and six Teachers’ constituencies. Bihar follows with eight seats (four Graduates’, four Teachers’), while Maharashtra has five seats (three Graduates’, two Teachers’) and Karnataka four seats (two Graduates’, two Teachers’).

Key dates

Poll dates out for Council seats in UP, Bihar, Maharashtra, Karnataka

State-wise breakdown

Bihar: The eight seats include the Patna, Darbhanga, Tirhut and Kosi Graduates’ constituencies, along with the Patna, Darbhanga, Tirhut and Saran Teachers’ constituencies. The terms of the outgoing members from these seats end on November 16.

Karnataka: With a Council strength of 75, Karnataka currently has five vacant seats as per party-position data dated August 7, 2026. Four of these will be filled in this round — the Karnataka South-East and Karnataka West Graduates’ constituencies, and the Karnataka North-East and Bangalore Teachers’ constituencies.

Maharashtra: The 78-member Maharashtra Legislative Council draws its membership from local authorities, Graduates’ and Teachers’ constituencies, MLA-elected members, and nominees. Five seats are up for polls this time: Aurangabad Division, Pune Division and Nagpur Division Graduates’ constituencies, and Amravati Division and Pune Division Teachers’ constituencies.

Uttar Pradesh: All 11 seats — five Graduates’ and six Teachers’ constituencies — will follow the same common schedule, with polling on October 23 and counting on October 27.

Model Code of Conduct in effect

The ECI said the Model Code of Conduct has come into force with immediate effect in all the Graduates’ and Teachers’ constituencies covered by this election across the four states. The code will remain in force through the duration of the poll process and will govern the conduct of candidates, political parties and other stakeholders until it concludes.

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