Archive · 11 Oct 2026
Maharashtra MLC Polls Set for October 23 in Pune
Maharashtra will hold elections for two Legislative Council seats in Pune division on October 23.
One seat is for a Graduates’ constituency, and the other is for a Teachers’ constituency.
The BJP candidates are backed by the ruling Mahayuti alliance, but candidates from other parties and independents are also running.
The two constituencies cover several districts and have their own voter lists.
Being a graduate or a teacher does not automatically mean someone can vote.
People must meet the rules and have their name on the correct special electoral roll.
Voters rank candidates by marking their choices on the ballot paper.
Counting is planned for October 27, and the election process is scheduled to finish by October 31.
Polling for Pune division’s Graduates’ and Teachers’ Legislative Council seats is scheduled for October 23, from 8 am to 4 pm.
The Graduates’ constituency has 47 candidates and 3,88,019 registered voters across Pune, Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur and Solapur districts.
The Teachers’ constituency has 30 candidates and around 62,000 registered voters.
BJP nominees Dr Smita Jadhav and Kaustubh Gawde are backed by the ruling Mahayuti alliance; their listed rivals include NCP-SP, Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress and independent candidates.
Voters must qualify for and appear on the relevant special electoral roll; counting is scheduled for October 27, with the process due to conclude by October 31.
- Who
- Candidates contesting the Pune Division Graduates’ and Teachers’ constituencies, and voters enrolled on their special electoral rolls.
- What
- Maharashtra Legislative Council elections for two Pune division seats.
- When
- Polling is scheduled for October 23, 2026, from 8 am to 4 pm; counting is scheduled for October 27.
- Where
- Pune division, covering Pune, Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur and Solapur districts for the Graduates’ constituency.
- Why
- To fill Legislative Council seats whose sitting members’ terms are due to end on December 6, 2026.
Ruling alliance candidates
Other candidates
Graduates’ constituency contest
Ruling alliance candidates
The Mahayuti alliance is backing BJP candidate Dr Smita Jadhav.
Other candidates
NCP-SP candidate Harshada Jadhav-Deshmukh and Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Sunil Modi are among those contesting; the article says the opposition did not agree on a single MVA candidate.
Teachers’ constituency contest
Ruling alliance candidates
The Mahayuti alliance is backing BJP candidate Kaustubh Gawde.
Other candidates
Congress has nominated sitting MLC Jayant Dinkar Asgaonkar, and independent candidate Sachin Sanap is also running.
- Polling
- October 23, 8 am–4 pm
- Counting
- Scheduled for October 27
- Graduates’ constituency
- 47 candidates; 3,88,019 registered voters; 781 polling stations
- Teachers’ constituency
- 30 candidates; around 62,000 registered voters; 310 polling stations
- Graduates’ coverage
- Pune, Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur and Solapur districts
- Qualifying date
- November 1, 2025
- Election method
- Proportional representation using the single transferable vote system
- Scheduled completion
- By October 31, subject to the Election Commission’s official notification