# Indian Election Commission election schedules

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/indian-election-commission-election-schedules
> Updated: 2026-09-22T08:02:28.000Z. Sources: 17. Developments: 2.

The Election Commission of India has detailed the schedules for upcoming Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council (MLC) elections. Rajya Sabha voting for 12 seats in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal is set for October 16, 2026. This includes 11 biennial seats and a by-election in West Bengal following the resignation of MP Rukmini Mallick. In Uttar Pradesh, 10 seats are part of the biennial process, including one vacated by former member Dinesh Sharma. Based on current assembly strength, the BJP-led alliance is expected to secure eight seats in Uttar Pradesh, while the Samajwadi Party may gain two. This shift could result in the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) losing its remaining representation in Parliament, as its sole Rajya Sabha member, Ramji Gautam, sees his term end in November. Key figures whose terms are ending include Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav. The election will follow the proportional representation system via a single transferable vote. For the Rajya Sabha polls, the Commission specified that voters must use a specific integrated violet-colored sketch pen provided by the Returning Officer. The process, including nomination scrutiny on October 7 and the withdrawal deadline on October 9, is expected to conclude by October 19. Legislative Council elections for 28 seats in the teacher and graduate constituencies of Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh are scheduled for October 23, 2026, with counting on October 27. In Uttar Pradesh, 11 seats will be contested (five graduates’ and six teachers’ constituencies). Bihar will hold elections for eight seats, Karnataka for four, and Maharashtra for five. For both election processes, official notifications are expected on September 29, with nomination deadlines set for October 6 and withdrawal deadlines on October 9.

## Claims

- The Election Commission has announced the schedule for Rajya Sabha elections for 12 seats. (corroborated by 9 sources)
- Voting for the 12 Rajya Sabha seats is scheduled for October 16. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- The deadline for filing nominations is October 6. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- The election notification will be issued on September 29. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Counting of votes will begin at 5 PM on October 16. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- In Uttar Pradesh, the BJP-led alliance is projected to win eight seats, while the Samajwadi Party is expected to win two. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Voters must use a specific violet-colored sketch pen provided by the returning officer to mark preferences on the ballot. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) may lose all its representation in Parliament following these elections. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-22: Election Commission announces Legislative Council polls in four Indian states

The Election Commission of India has scheduled Legislative Council elections for Graduates’ and Teachers’ constituencies in Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh for October 23.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/election-commission-of-india-announces-rajya-sabha-and-mlc-election-schedules

### 2026-09-22: India Election Commission announces Rajya Sabha polls for 12 seats

The Election Commission of India has scheduled Rajya Sabha elections for 12 seats in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal for October 16, 2026.

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/election-commission-announces-rajya-sabha-polls-for-up-uttarakhand-and-west-bengal

---
Cite as: Indian Election Commission election schedules. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/indian-election-commission-election-schedules