Prashant Kishor-led Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) on Sunday announced candidates for five Bihar Legislative Council constituencies, getting an early start on elections to eight graduates’ and teachers’ seats that are expected to be announced soon.

The terms of members representing the eight constituencies — four graduates’ and four teachers’ seats — are due to expire in November. Jan Suraaj has already said it plans to contest all eight seats as part of its organisational expansion in Bihar.

Announcing the candidates at a press conference, Kishor said Afaq Ahmed would seek re-election from the Saran teachers’ constituency. Ahmed had won the seat six years ago with Kishor’s support, before the former poll strategist launched Jan Suraaj as a political party.

Divya Jyoti, a lawyer and academician-turned-politician who joined Jan Suraaj last week, will contest from the Patna teachers’ constituency. The seat is currently held by JD(U) chief spokesperson Neeraj Kumar.

The party has named S P Rai as its candidate from the Darbhanga teachers’ constituency, while Ravindra Yadav will contest the Darbhanga graduates’ seat. Rajnish Ranjan has been fielded from the Kosi graduates’ constituency.

The Legislative Council election is separate from the Bihar Assembly polls and will cover graduates’ and teachers’ constituencies spread across around 30 districts of the state.

Unlike Assembly elections, the contests are decided by specialised electorates comprising eligible graduates and teachers. Candidates’ local influence, their standing among these voters and the organisational strength of their parties are expected to play an important role in the eight contests.

With five candidates now declared, Jan Suraaj has three more nominees to announce if it goes ahead with its plan to contest all eight seats.