Vote counting begins for 28 Legislative Council seats across four Indian states

Counting of votes for 28 Legislative Council seats across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra and Karnataka began on Tuesday following polling on October 23. The elections covered five graduate and six teacher constituencies in Uttar Pradesh, eight seats in Bihar, five seats in Maharashtra and four seats in Karnataka. Turnout varied by region, reaching as high as 92.6% in the Amravati Teachers’ constituency in Maharashtra and 86.97% in the North-East Teachers’ constituency in Karnataka, while graduate constituencies saw lower participation.

In Maharashtra, 182 candidates contested five seats, with the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi fielding candidates in graduate and teacher constituencies. The Shiv Sena backed an independent candidate in Pune Teachers’ against the BJP nominee, and rebel candidates appeared in Amravati Teachers’ and other seats. The preferential voting system could make later preferences decisive if no candidate meets the first-preference quota.

Karnataka’s four seats attracted 43 candidates, with the BJP contesting three seats and the JD(S) fielding a candidate for the Bengaluru Teachers’ seat. The BJP currently holds three of the four seats, while the Congress seeks to retain its single seat.

In Uttar Pradesh, counting is underway in seven districts for eleven seats, with CCTV cameras and videography installed to monitor the process. The contest is framed as a test between the ruling BJP and the Samajwadi Party ahead of the 2027 state assembly elections.

Bihar’s eight seats, comprising four graduate and four teacher constituencies, are being counted amid tight security. Turnout was 82.85% in teacher constituencies and 53.42% in graduate seats. The BJP and its ally JD(U) each fielded candidates for four seats, while the Jan Suraaj Party contested all eight.

"The high turnout shows strong support for the party," said BJP candidate Awanish Kumar Singh of the Lucknow Graduates’ constituency.

"Vote counting must remain fair and impartial, without external pressure," urged Samajwadi Party candidate Sushil Kumar of the teachers’ constituency.

RJD candidate Sanjeev from the Bihar teachers’ constituency questioned the lack of CCTV cameras at the counting centre, saying it raised doubts about the administration’s intentions.