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Lucknow MLC Polls Begin With Activity, But No Filing
Pooja Srivastava | Anytime News Network
The nomination process for the Lucknow Division Graduate and Lucknow Division Teacher constituencies of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council elections 2026 began on Tuesday, but the first day ended without a single formal nomination being filed.
According to Returning Officer and Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, a total of 15 nomination papers were distributed during the opening day. However, none of the prospective candidates submitted a completed nomination.
Six Papers for Teachers’ Seat
Six individuals collected nomination papers for the Teacher constituency. Shah Alam Khan, Mohammad Meraj, Sunil Kumar Rathore, Devendra Kumar Singh and Jag Jeevan Prasad Shukla were listed as independents, while Sunil Kumar obtained the form as a Samajwadi Party candidate.
Nine Names for Graduates’ Seat
Nine nomination papers were distributed for the Graduate constituency. Vijay Kumar, Dharmendra Singh, Harshit Singh, Amit Kumar Yadav, Sunil Kumar Srivastava and Shailendra Singh were listed as independents.
Kanti Singh obtained the form as a Samajwadi Party candidate, Chandrabhan Maurya as a Bahujan Samaj Party candidate and Avanish Kumar Singh as a Bharatiya Janata Party candidate.
Activity Without Formal Entry
The opening day presents an unusual contrast: there were 15 potential contenders seeking nomination papers, but the formal filing count remained zero.
The distinction is significant. Collecting a nomination form does not itself constitute a final candidature. The actual electoral field will become clearer only after formal filing, scrutiny and the withdrawal process.
The Real Contest Still Ahead
The Election Commission’s schedule sets October 6 as the last date for filing nominations, followed by scrutiny on October 7 and withdrawal on October 9. Polling for the 11 Legislative Council graduate and teacher constituencies in Uttar Pradesh is scheduled for October 23, with counting on October 27.
For the Lucknow Division seats, therefore, the first day has produced names and paperwork—but not yet a formal contest.
The coming days will determine how many of the 15 prospective contenders actually enter the race and how the political contest takes shape before the final list of candidates is published.
