Karnataka MLC Election Results 2026: Winners, Vote Counts, Margins and Constituency-Wise Results
Karnataka MLC Election Results 2026 | October 27–28 Update
The results of the Karnataka Legislative Council elections for four graduates’ and teachers’ constituencies are out. The BJP–JD(S) alliance won all four seats, with the BJP winning three constituencies and its ally Janata Dal (Secular) securing the Bengaluru Teachers’ seat.
Polling was held on 23 October 2026, and counting began on 27 October. The results cover two graduates’ constituencies and two teachers’ constituencies across Karnataka.
For voters, the results determine who will represent these constituencies in the Karnataka Legislative Council. They also provide a constituency-wise picture of the contest between the BJP–JD(S) alliance and the Congress.
Karnataka MLC Election Results 2026: Key Highlights
- Total seats: 4
- Results: BJP–JD(S) alliance won all four seats
- BJP: 3 seats
- JD(S): 1 seat
- Congress: Did not win any of the four seats
- Polling date: 23 October 2026
- Counting began: 27 October 2026
The four constituencies were South-East Graduates’, West Graduates’, North-East Teachers’ and Bengaluru Teachers’. The BJP retained its three seats, while JD(S) won the Bengaluru Teachers’ constituency from the Congress.
Karnataka MLC Election Results 2026: Constituency-Wise Winners
| Constituency | Winning candidate | Party | Runner-up | Winning margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South-East Graduates’ | K. M. Suresh | BJP | Shashi Hulikunte Mutt (Congress) | 23,098 votes |
| West Graduates’ | S. V. Sankanur | BJP | Mohan Limbikai (Congress) | 9,323 votes |
| North-East Teachers’ | Shashil G. Namoshi | BJP | Sharanappa Mattur (Congress) | 3,297 votes |
| Bengaluru Teachers’ | A. P. Ranganath | JD(S) | Puttanna (Congress) | 908 votes |
Source: Election result reporting by PTI and national and regional news organisations. Verify final figures against the respective Returning Officers’ declarations.
1 South-East Graduates’ Constituency: K. M. Suresh Wins
BJP candidate K. M. Suresh won the South-East Graduates’ constituency, defeating Congress candidate Shashi Hulikunte Mutt by a reported margin of 23,098 votes.
The constituency covers Kolar, Chikkaballapur, Tumakuru, Chitradurga and Davanagere districts.
The graduates’ constituency provides representation in the Legislative Council to eligible graduates who are registered on the relevant electoral roll.
The result means the BJP retains the seat. The contest was one of two graduates’ constituency elections held alongside the teachers’ constituency polls.
2 West Graduates’ Constituency: S. V. Sankanur Retains the Seat
BJP candidate S. V. Sankanur won the West Graduates’ constituency against Congress candidate Mohan Limbikai.
Sankanur secured 33,711 votes, while Limbikai received 24,388 votes, giving Sankanur a margin of 9,323 votes, according to reported results.
The constituency covers Dharwad, Gadag, Haveri and Uttara Kannada districts.
The result marks another victory for Sankanur in the constituency and retains the seat for the BJP.
3 North-East Teachers’ Constituency: Shashil G. Namoshi Wins
BJP candidate Shashil G. Namoshi defeated Congress candidate Sharanappa Mattur in the North-East Teachers’ constituency.
Namoshi received 15,596 votes against Mattur’s 12,299 votes, a reported winning margin of 3,297 votes. The result was described in news reports as Namoshi’s fifth victory from the constituency.
The constituency covers Kalaburagi, Bidar, Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal, Ballari and Vijayanagara districts.
The result allows the BJP to retain the seat, which represents eligible teachers registered on the relevant electoral roll.
4 Bengaluru Teachers’ Constituency: A. P. Ranganath Defeats Puttanna
JD(S) candidate A. P. Ranganath won the Bengaluru Teachers’ constituency, defeating Congress candidate and sitting MLC Puttanna by 908 votes.
Ranganath received 10,810 votes, compared with Puttanna’s 9,902 votes.
The constituency covers Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural and Ramanagara (Bengaluru South).
This result shifts the seat from Congress to JD(S), which contested the constituency as part of its alliance with the BJP.
Karnataka MLC Election Results: Voter Turnout
Reported voter turnout across the four constituencies was as follows:
| Constituency | Reported turnout |
|---|---|
| South-East Graduates’ | 73.58% |
| West Graduates’ | 75.62% |
| North-East Teachers’ | 86.97% |
| Bengaluru Teachers’ | 81.98% |
These figures are reported turnout figures for the respective graduates’ and teachers’ electoral constituencies. They should not be interpreted as turnout among all voters in the districts covered by those constituencies.
What Do the Karnataka MLC Results Mean?
The BJP–JD(S) alliance’s four-seat sweep gives the opposition alliance all the seats contested in these elections. Congress did not win any of the four constituencies.
The results also show different constituency-level outcomes: the BJP retained three seats, while JD(S) won Bengaluru Teachers’ from Congress.
These elections are limited to graduates’ and teachers’ constituencies. They do not directly determine who forms the Karnataka government, and the four results do not by themselves establish how voters across the entire state would vote in an Assembly election.
The broader political implications will depend on other factors, including future electoral contests, local issues and the performance of political parties over time.
What Are Karnataka MLC Elections?
The Karnataka Legislative Council is the upper house of the state legislature. Members enter the Council through several routes, including elections from graduates’ and teachers’ constituencies.
These constituencies have a restricted electorate. A person’s regular Assembly voter registration or possession of a Voter ID card does not automatically make them eligible to vote in an MLC graduates’ or teachers’ constituency.
Eligible graduates and teachers must satisfy the applicable requirements and be registered on the relevant electoral roll.
Graduates’ and teachers’ constituency elections use preferential voting on ballot papers under the applicable counting rules, rather than the ordinary EVM-based voting method used in most Assembly elections.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Who won the Karnataka MLC elections in 2026?
The BJP–JD(S) alliance won all four seats. The BJP won South-East Graduates’, West Graduates’ and North-East Teachers’, while JD(S) won Bengaluru Teachers’.
Who won Bengaluru Teachers’ constituency?
A. P. Ranganath of JD(S) won the Bengaluru Teachers’ constituency with 10,810 votes, defeating Congress candidate Puttanna, who received 9,902 votes. The reported margin was 908 votes.
Who won the South-East Graduates’ constituency?
BJP candidate K. M. Suresh defeated Congress candidate Shashi Hulikunte Mutt by a reported margin of 23,098 votes.
Who won the West Graduates’ constituency?
BJP candidate S. V. Sankanur won with 33,711 votes against Congress candidate Mohan Limbikai’s 24,388 votes. The reported margin was 9,323 votes.
Who won the North-East Teachers’ constituency?
BJP candidate Shashil G. Namoshi defeated Congress candidate Sharanappa Mattur by a reported margin of 3,297 votes.
When was polling held, and when did counting begin?
Polling took place on 23 October 2026. Counting began on 27 October 2026, with results reported on 27 and 28 October.
Do these results change the Karnataka government?
No. These four elections decide representation in the Karnataka Legislative Council. They do not directly determine which party forms the state government.
Conclusion
The Karnataka MLC election results of 2026 delivered all four contested seats to the BJP–JD(S) alliance. The BJP retained the South-East Graduates’, West Graduates’ and North-East Teachers’ constituencies, while JD(S) won Bengaluru Teachers’ from Congress.
The results provide a clear outcome for the four constituencies representing eligible graduates and teachers. For the final vote figures and formal declarations, readers should refer to the relevant Returning Officers and election authorities.
Stay updated with NetaSampark for election results, constituency information, voter guides and explainers on Indian democracy.
Sources and further reading
- The New Indian Express — NDA candidate Ranganath wins Bengaluru Teachers’ seat
- PTI report — Karnataka MLC polls results
- NDTV — Karnataka MLC election results
- Election Commission of India
Reviewed by NetaSampark Editorial. Updated 28 October 2026.