Patna: Polling for eight seats in the Bihar Legislative Council concluded on Friday, October 23, 2026, with teacher constituencies recording a turnout of 74.55% and graduate constituencies registering 43.87%, according to interim figures available until 4 pm.
The combined turnout across the two categories was approximately 59.4%. Participation was higher in teacher constituencies than in graduate constituencies.
Counting for all eight seats is scheduled for October 27, when the results will determine which candidates secure representation in the state’s Upper House.
Kosi Leads Graduate Constituencies with 52.51% Turnout
Among the four graduate constituencies, Kosi recorded the highest turnout at 52.51%, while Patna registered the lowest at 36.19%.
The constituency-wise figures available until 4 pm were:
- Patna Graduate: 36.19%
- Tirhut Graduate: 42.15%
- Darbhanga Graduate: 42.00%
- Kosi Graduate: 52.51%
The overall turnout across the four graduate constituencies stood at 43.87%.
Saran Records Highest Turnout in Teacher Constituencies
Teacher constituencies recorded a combined turnout of 74.55%. Saran topped the list with 87.16% polling, followed by Darbhanga at 79% and Tirhut at 78.10%. Patna recorded the lowest turnout in this category at 56.89%.
The constituency-wise figures were:
- Patna Teacher: 56.89%
- Saran Teacher: 87.16%
- Tirhut Teacher: 78.10%
- Darbhanga Teacher: 79.00%
These figures were based on interim data available at 4 pm. Voters who had reached polling station premises by the scheduled closing time were allowed to cast their ballots, so the final turnout figures may differ.
150 Candidates in the Contest for Eight Seats
A total of 150 candidates are contesting the eight seats, comprising 90 candidates across the four graduate constituencies and 60 across the four teacher constituencies.
The graduate constituencies have the following number of candidates:
- Patna: 18
- Tirhut: 17
- Darbhanga: 40
- Kosi: 15
In the teacher constituencies, Patna and Saran have 18 candidates each, while Tirhut has 11 and Darbhanga has 13.
Sitting MLCs Face Re-election Challenges
The sitting members whose seats are being contested include representatives from different political parties and an Independent member.
In the graduate constituencies, the sitting MLCs are JD(U)’s Neeraj Kumar from Patna, BJP’s Sarvesh Kumar from Darbhanga, Independent Banshidhar Brajwasi from Tirhut and BJP’s N.K. Yadav from Kosi.
In the teacher constituencies, the sitting members are Nawal Kishore Yadav from Patna, Congress leader Madan Mohan Jha from Darbhanga, CPI’s Sanjay Singh from Tirhut and Jan Suraaj Party’s Afaq Ahmad from Saran.
Their terms are scheduled to end on November 16.
How Votes Will Be Counted
The elections use a preferential voting system. Voters can rank candidates in order of preference, marking their first preference as well as subsequent choices.
During counting, first-preference votes are counted initially. A candidate who reaches the prescribed quota can be declared elected. If no candidate reaches the required quota, the candidate with the fewest votes may be eliminated, and ballot papers are transferred according to the next available preferences, following the applicable rules.
The process continues until the winner or winners are determined under the election rules.
Results Expected on October 27
The counting of votes for all eight Bihar Legislative Council seats will take place on October 27. The results will establish the new composition of the Council’s representation from the four graduate and four teacher constituencies.
