Holiday on Polling Day: ECI Announces—No Wage Cuts for Leave on Election Day in Five States; Who Will Benefit?

The Election Commission of India (ECI) made a significant announcement on Friday. The Commission stated that all employees are entitled to a paid holiday on the days of polling for the upcoming general elections and the by-elections scheduled for this month. This decision benefits all individuals employed in any trade, business, or industrial establishment. This includes daily-wage earners and temporary employees as well.

Citing Section 135B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, in its press note, the Election Commission stated that any person employed in an establishment who is eligible to vote in the Lok Sabha or Legislative Assembly elections shall be granted a holiday on the day of polling. No deduction of any kind may be made from an employee's salary in lieu of this holiday.

This order by the Election Commission applies to the Legislative Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. Furthermore, the same rule shall apply to the by-elections being held for eight Assembly seats across six states: Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Nagaland, and Tripura. The Commission has clarified that employers who violate these regulations will be subject to penalties.

Where and When is the Voting?

Regarding the polling dates, votes will be cast on April 9 in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Goa, Karnataka, Nagaland, and Tripura. Polling will take place on April 23 in Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. In West Bengal, voting will be conducted in two phases, on April 23 and April 29. The election results for all these states will be declared on May 4, 2026.

The Commission has also clarified the situation for employees who work outside their electoral constituencies. If an employee is working in an industrial or business establishment located outside their own constituency, they, too, shall be granted a paid holiday to cast their vote. The sole condition is that they must be registered as a voter in that specific constituency.

The Election Commission has directed the governments of all states and Union Territories to strictly adhere to these instructions. Necessary instructions have been issued to the concerned officials to ensure that all voters can exercise their franchise without any inconvenience.