UP MLC Election 2026: Polling for 11 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council seats began at 8 AM on Friday, October 23, and is scheduled to continue until 4 PM. According to data released by the Chief Electoral Officer’s office, voter turnout across the constituencies reached 40.87% by 2 PM. The elections cover five graduate constituencies and six teachers’ constituencies, with ballot papers being used instead of electronic voting machines (EVMs). The counting of votes is scheduled for October 27, when the results will determine the fate of the candidates contesting these seats.

Bareilly-Moradabad Leads in Voter Turnout
The Bareilly-Moradabad Teachers’ Constituency recorded the highest turnout at 59.17% by 2 PM, followed by the Varanasi Teachers’ Constituency at 57.97% and the Gorakhpur-Faizabad Teachers’ Constituency at 56.32%. Among the graduate constituencies, Varanasi recorded approximately 59% polling, while Agra registered 32%, Meerut 30.38% and Lucknow 27.53%. The Allahabad-Jhansi Graduate Constituency recorded the lowest turnout at 26.30%. In the teachers’ constituencies, Agra recorded 48.20%, Meerut 46.66% and Lucknow 36.50%. These figures reflect turnout reported up to 2 PM and may differ from the final polling percentages.

BJP and Samajwadi Party in Focus Ahead of 2027 Assembly Elections
The MLC elections are drawing political attention ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections scheduled for 2027. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Samajwadi Party (SP), led by Akhilesh Yadav, are among the key political players in the contest. In Lucknow, 259 polling centres have been established, with 1,16,491 registered voters eligible to participate. Gautam Buddha Nagar district has 13 polling centres and 42 booths for the Meerut Graduate and Teachers’ constituencies. With voting underway across all 11 constituencies, the final turnout figures and results will be closely watched. Vote counting is scheduled for October 27, after which the winners will be declared.