UP, Bihar, Maharashtra, Karnataka MLC Counting Live Updates
New Delhi, October 27: Counting of votes for 28 Legislative Council seats spread across four states began at 8 AM on Tuesday. Polling took place on October 23, and initial results are expected within a few hours of counting. Here is a state-wise overview of the key details.
Uttar Pradesh Counting is in progress for 11 MLC seats, which have drawn 152 candidates. The electoral field includes five graduate constituencies and six teacher constituencies, with a total of 14,81,310 registered voters. The polls were conducted through 2,697 polling stations across 72 districts. Kanpur Nagar, Kanpur Dehat and Unnao were kept out of the electoral exercise.
The contest is largely between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the Samajwadi Party. Independent candidates and rebels from parties are also contesting.
Reports suggest that the Election Commission on Monday ordered six officials from the Agra teacher constituency to be suspended for alleged negligence during election duty. It also ordered disciplinary action against five presiding officers and 16 police personnel.
Bihar Counting for eight MLC seats started at 8 AM on Tuesday under strict security arrangements. The election includes four graduate and four teacher constituencies, with 150 candidates in the race. Only pass holders are permitted entry at the counting centre, and mobile phones are not allowed inside.
Magistrate Anugya said, "We are checking everyone. Those who have been issued passes and ID cards are being checked. Nobody is allowed to carry mobile phones inside. We are checking everyone."
An official said the counting will decide the electoral fortunes of 90 candidates in four teacher constituencies and 60 candidates in four other constituencies. Voter turnout was 82.85 percent in teacher constituencies and 53.42 percent in graduate constituencies. The results will determine the prospects of candidates from the BJP, the Janata Dal (United) and other parties.
Maharashtra Five MLC seats are being contested by 182 candidates. The battle includes three graduate constituencies in Pune, Nagpur and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, along with two teacher constituencies in Pune and Amravati.
Karnataka Four MLC seats are being decided across 17 districts. The main contest is between the Congress and the BJP-Janata Dal (Secular) alliance. The Bengaluru and North-East teacher constituencies, along with the West and South-East graduate constituencies, are among the seats attracting major attention.