LUCKNOW, Oct. 23 -- The BJP intensified efforts to boost voter turnout ahead of Friday's Uttar Pradesh legislative council elections, seeking to retain its six seats and make inroads into Opposition-held constituencies ahead of the 2027 assembly polls.

Voting will be held for 11 seats - five graduates' and six teachers' constituencies - whose sitting members' terms end on December 6. Of the 11 outgoing members, six are from the BJP, three from the Samajwadi Party (SP) and two are independents. The BJP's focus is on retaining its six seats and wresting the seats held by the SP and independents.

According to the state election office, polling will take place from 8 am to 4 pm in the designated districts. Counting is scheduled for October ...