The Election Commission of India has announced the schedule for biennial elections to nine seats in the Maharashtra Legislative Council that will be filled by members of the state legislative assembly. The terms of these nine members are set to expire on May 13, 2026.
In addition, a by-election will be held for one vacant seat following the resignation of Pragya Satav.
Polling and counting on the same day
Voting for all 10 seats is scheduled for Tuesday, May 12, 2026, between 9 am and 4 pm. The counting of votes will take place after 5 pm on the same day.
Members completing their term
The nine members whose tenure will end on May 13 include Sanjay Kenekar, Neelam Gorhe, Uddhav Thackeray, Sandeep Joshi, Dadarav Keche, Amol Mitkari, Ranjitsinh Mohite-Patil, Rajesh Rathod, and Shashikant Shinde.
The vacant seat arose after the resignation of Pragya Satav, whose term was originally scheduled to end on July 27, 2030.
Election timeline
According to the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Maharashtra, the election notification will be issued on April 23, 2026. The last date for filing nominations is April 30, while scrutiny of nomination papers will be conducted on May 2. Candidates can withdraw their nominations until May 4.
The entire election process is expected to be completed by May 13, 2026.
NCP (SP) urges Uddhav to contest MLC polls
Maha Vikas Aghadi constituent NCP (SP) on Thursday urged Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray to contest the opposition`s lone winnable seat in next month`s Maharashtra legislative council polls, while ally Congress said the three parties will together take a decision on it.
NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule on Thursday appealed to Thackeray to contest the council election, saying his experience will continue to guide the state.
Congress` Maharashtra unit chief Harshwardhan Sapkal met Thackeray at the latter`s residence `Matoshree` here, and held talks with him.
Following the meeting, Sapkal said Thackeray is the face of the MVA and people will be happy if he contests the council polls. He, however, said the three MVA constituents will take a decision on it by holding talks in a cordial manner.
The Congress is keen on contesting the council polls.
