MLC counting goes into long haul across four states amid tight security; Akhilesh says, ‘Do not make a mockery of democracy’

Counting of votes for Legislative Council elections continued across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra and Karnataka on Tuesday, with security tightened at counting centres and the results being closely watched by political parties. The counting follows polling on October 23 for graduates’ and teachers’ constituencies, with the process expected to take time in some seats because of the preferential voting system.

In Uttar Pradesh, counting is underway for 11 seats — five graduates’ and six teachers’ constituencies. At the Ramabai Ambedkar Sthal counting centre, votes for the graduate and teachers’ constituencies are being counted under tight security. Authorities have put in place a four-tier security arrangement, with around 400 police personnel deployed in each of two 12-hour shifts. Drone surveillance, mounted police and mobile squads have also been deployed, while officials have been directed to follow Election Commission guidelines.

The counting process came under attack from Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, who alleged that the exercise was being deliberately delayed and called on Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to intervene.

In a post on X, Yadav said the Election Commission should take immediate cognisance of the alleged delay and ensure that results were declared transparently. He alleged that round-wise results were not being officially announced and that political parties and the media were not receiving information about the counting process.

“Do not make a mockery of democracy,” Yadav said, warning that the Samajwadi Party would remain vigilant until winning certificates were issued. He also warned of protests and legal action if district magistrates or commissioners attempted any irregularities.

The counting-day allegations follow a contentious polling process in the state. During voting on October 23, opposition parties had alleged malpractice and voter intimidation, while reports of scuffles emerged from some areas. The state recorded a turnout of 55.24 per cent across the 11 seats.

Repolling was also held at three polling stations in the Agra division following allegations of irregularities, with the process concluding on Monday. The Uttar Pradesh contest covers five graduates’ constituencies — Lucknow, Varanasi, Agra, Meerut and Allahabad-Jhansi — and six teachers’ constituencies — Lucknow, Varanasi, Agra, Meerut, Bareilly-Moradabad and Gorakhpur-Faizabad.

In Bihar, counting is underway for eight Legislative Council seats, with 150 candidates in the contest. Of these, 90 candidates are contesting four graduates’ constituencies and 60 are contesting four teachers’ constituencies.

The BJP is contesting four seats and its ally Janata Dal (United) the remaining four, while Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party has fielded candidates in all eight constituencies.

Bihar recorded a turnout of 82.85 per cent in the teachers’ constituencies and 53.42 per cent in the graduates’ constituencies. The outcome is being watched for its implications for the political parties’ organisational strength among teachers and graduates.

In Maharashtra, 182 candidates are contesting five seats — Pune Graduates’, Nagpur Graduates’, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Graduates’, Pune Teachers’ and Amravati Teachers’. The state recorded an overall turnout of 72.96 per cent. Amravati Teachers’ constituency registered the highest turnout at 92.6 per cent, followed by Pune Teachers’ at 85.86 per cent. Turnout was 64.84 per cent in Nagpur Graduates’, 62.76 per cent in Pune Graduates’ and 59.12 per cent in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Graduates’.

The contests include candidates from the BJP, Congress and regional parties, with the results expected to offer an indication of their support among graduates and teachers. In Nagpur, BJP candidate Sudhakar Kohale is challenging sitting Congress MLC Abhijit Wanjari. In Pune, BJP nominee Smita Jadhav is facing Harshada Deshmukh-Jadhav of the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) and Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Sunil Modi.

In Karnataka, counting is underway for four seats — Bengaluru Teachers’, North-East Teachers’, West Graduates’ and South-East Graduates’. The West Graduates’ constituency recorded a turnout of 75.6 per cent across four districts, with 73,658 of 97,400 registered voters casting their ballots. Fourteen candidates are in the fray in the constituency, where counting is taking place at the University of Agricultural Sciences in Dharwad.

The counting process could extend into the late evening or midnight because the elections use the single transferable vote system, under which candidates’ preferences may need to be transferred across counting rounds before a result is finalised.

The elections are also being watched as a test of the Congress government’s support among graduates and teachers and of the BJP-JD(S) alliance’s ability to transfer votes between its candidates.

Across the four states, the results will determine the composition of the Legislative Councils in the seats contested. Counting officials have been directed to maintain procedural safeguards, including CCTV surveillance, videography, restricted access and uninterrupted power supply at counting centres.