Nagpur division graduates' constituency votes on Friday, 38 candidates in fray across six districts

The election machinery is ready for the election to the Nagpur division graduates' constituency seat of the Maharashtra Legislative Council. Voting will be held on Friday, October 23, in the six districts of the Nagpur division. A total of 38 candidates are in the fray.

A total of 445 polling stations have been set up across the six districts. Voting at these centres will run from 8 am to 4 pm. Necessary administrative arrangements, including the appointment of polling parties, officers and staff, have been completed so that voting is smooth, transparent and peaceful.

A total of 2,55,603 voters in the six districts of the division will vote. They include 1,47,280 men, 1,08,301 women and 22 voters of other genders. The preparations have been completed under the guidance of Vijayalakshmi Bidari, returning officer and divisional commissioner.

According to the programme announced by the Election Commission of India, the election notification was issued on September 29, 2026. The last date for filing nominations was October 6. Nominations were scrutinised on October 7, and October 9 was the last date for withdrawal. Thirty-eight candidates remained in the fray after that. Counting will be held on Tuesday, October 27, at the Divisional Sports Complex in Mankapur, Nagpur. The entire election process will be completed before October 31.

Nagpur district has the most voters, with 1,44,466 registered. Chandrapur district has 32,262, Gondia 22,176, Wardha 21,742, Bhandara 21,349 and Gadchiroli 13,608. Nagpur district also leads in polling stations, with 246. Chandrapur has 58, Wardha 41, Gondia 39, Bhandara 35 and Gadchiroli 26.

Polling parties have been deployed in all six districts to ensure smooth voting. A total of 2,535 government officers and employees in the division have been assigned to election duty. They include 476 Central government officers. For Gadchiroli district, 32 officers from Central public sector undertakings have also been made available.

Polling parties have left with their materials from the election material distribution centres in Nagpur, Wardha, Bhandara, Gondia, Gadchiroli and Chandrapur districts for their respective polling stations under security. The election machinery has completed tight security arrangements and other necessary preparations for peaceful voting.

Special casual leave has been provided so that voters can cast their votes. Employees registered as voters in the graduates' and teachers' constituency elections will get this leave as per rules. It will be in addition to the regular casual leave available to employees. Registered voters working in private establishments were earlier given a two-hour concession. Vijayalakshmi Bidari, returning officer and divisional commissioner, has now directed that it be replaced by a special concession of four hours.