Paid holiday on polling days for employees, casual & daily wage workers in upcoming elections: ECI

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has 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.

Paid holiday for employees on polling days

In a press note released on Friday, the ECI cited Section 135B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, stating, that "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 State/UTs or Bye-election to a PC/AC shall be granted a paid holiday on the day of poll.”

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This announcement covers the general elections to the Legislative Assemblies of Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, as well as bye-elections to eight Assembly Constituencies across Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Nagaland, and Tripura.

Polling schedule across select states and UTs

Polling will be conducted as per the following schedule:

• April 9, 2026: Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Goa, Karnataka, Nagaland, and Tripura
• April 23, 2026: Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Maharashtra
• West Bengal: April 23, 2026 (Phase I) and April 29, 2026 (Phase II)

No deduction of wages

The Commission clarified that no deduction of wages shall be made for employees on polling days. Employers found violating this provision will face fines.

"No deduction of wages shall be made on account of such a paid holiday. Any employer who contravenes these provisions shall be liable to a fine. All daily wage and casual workers are also entitled to a paid holiday on the day of poll," ECI said in the press note.

Holiday entitlement for workers outside their constituency

Additionally, workers employed outside their constituency but registered as voters in a constituency going to the polls are also entitled to the paid holiday, enabling them to exercise their franchise conveniently.

"The Commission has further clarified that 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."

Directive to State and UT governments

The ECI has directed all State and Union Territory governments "to issue necessary instructions to all concerned for strict compliance with these provisions and to ensure that all electors are able to exercise their franchise freely and conveniently."

When will the election results be declared?

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