Mumbai

Election Commission of India on Thursday announced that biennial elections for nine seats of the Maharashtra Legislative Council will be held on May 12.

The tenure of nine sitting MLCs ends on May 13, 2026, making the elections necessary. Those set to retire are Sanjay Kishanrao Kenekar, Neelam Diwakar Gorhe, Uddhav Thackeray, Sandeep Diwakar Joshi, Dadarao Yadavrao Keche, Amol Ramkrushna Mitkari, Ranjitsinh Vijaysinh Mohite-Patil, Rajesh Dhondiram Rathod and Shashikant Jaywantrao Shinde.

According to the poll schedule, the notification will be issued on April 23, while the last date for filing nominations is April 30. Scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on May 2, and candidates can withdraw nominations till May 4.

Polling, if required, will be conducted on May 12 between 9 am and 4 pm, with counting scheduled for 5 pm the same day.

READ MORE: Poet, educationist Iffat Faridi is Godmother to children of lesser God

Of the 78 members in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, some are elected by an electoral college comprising Members of the Legislative Assembly. The nine seats going to polls this time will be elected by MLAs. The Maharashtra Legislative Assembly has a strength of 288 members.