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Election Commission Declares Paid Holiday for Voters on Polling Days

The Election Commission of India has declared a paid holiday for all employees, including daily wage and casual workers, on the days of polling for the upcoming elections. The mandate is based on Section 135B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and covers elections in multiple states and union territories. Employers cannot deduct wages for this holiday, and those who violate the rule will be fined. The provision also applies to workers employed outside their home constituency to ensure they can travel to cast their vote.

Key Points: Paid Holiday for Employees on Election Polling Days: ECI

  • Paid holiday for all employees on poll day
  • Covers daily wage & casual workers
  • Mandated by Representation of the People Act
  • Violators liable for fine
  • Applies even if working outside home constituency
2 min read

Election Commission declares paid holiday on polling days for upcoming elections

ECI announces paid holiday for all employees, including daily wage workers, on polling days for upcoming General and Assembly elections. Know the dates.

"No deduction of wages shall be made on account of such a paid holiday. - Election Commission of India"

New Delhi, April 3

The Election Commission of India on Friday announced that all employees, including daily wage and casual workers, will be entitled to a paid holiday on polling days for the upcoming General Elections and bye-elections this month.

In a press note, the ECI said, "As per Section 135B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, every person employed in any business, trade, industrial undertaking, or any other establishment, and entitled to vote at an election to the House of the People or to the Legislative Assembly of a States/UTs or Bye-election to a PC/AC shall be granted a paid holiday on the day of poll."

The announcement covers elections to the Legislative Assemblies of Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal and Bye-election to eight Assembly Constituencies across six states, which are Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Nagaland and Tripura.

Polling will be held on April 9 for Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Goa, Karnataka, Nagaland, and Tripura; April 23 for Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Maharashtra; and April 23 (Phase I) and April 29 (Phase II) for West Bengal.

The Commission further stated that wages will not be deducted on polling day, and violators will be fined.

"No deduction of wages shall be made on account of such a paid holiday. Any employerwho contravenes these provisions shall be liable to a fine," the statement read.

The Commission further clarified, "Electors (including casual and daily wage workers) who are working or employed in industrial or commercial establishments located outside their constituency but are registered as voters in a constituency going to polls shall also be entitled to the benefit of a paid holiday on the day of poll to enable them to cast their vote."

ECI also directed all State and UT governments to ensure strict compliance. "Necessary instructions have been issued to concerned authorities to ensure that all electors are able to exercise their franchise freely and conveniently," the statement added.

Meanwhile, the results for the upcoming Assembly and bye-elections are scheduled to be announced on May 4, 2026.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As someone working in an MNC in Bangalore, I appreciate the clarity for workers outside their home constituency. My team has members from Kerala and Tamil Nadu; this ensures they can travel home to vote if needed.
A
Arjun K
Good move, but implementation is key. In smaller towns and factories, will employers actually follow this? The fine needs to be hefty and enforcement strict. Hope the state governments are vigilant.
P
Priyanka N
Finally! My mother works as a domestic help and her employer always made it difficult for her to go vote. Now she can show them this rule. Every vote counts, especially of the working class. 🙏
M
Michael C
Respectfully, while the intention is noble, declaring a paid holiday for all employees might hurt productivity, especially for small businesses and the service sector during this time. Could there be a more flexible model?
K
Kavya N
This covers so many states! Assam, Bengal, Tamil Nadu... all at once. It's a massive logistical announcement. Hope the message reaches every corner and voter turnout increases. Jai Hind!

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