The Election Commission of India announced Saturday that voters in Bihar and eight assembly constituencies holding elections will receive mandatory paid holidays on polling days, with employers facing fines for non-compliance.
Paid Leaves for Voters in Bihar Polls
Bihar’s assembly elections will occur in two phases next month, while bypolls in eight constituencies across multiple states are scheduled for November 11. The commission emphasized that the paid holiday provision applies to all eligible voters in these areas.
“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 State/UT, shall be granted a paid holiday on the day of poll,” the EC stated, referencing the legal framework.
The commission clarified that no wage deductions are permitted for this holiday. “Any employer who contravenes these provisions shall be liable to a fine,” it warned, though the specific penalty amount was not disclosed.
The directive covers all categories of workers, including daily wage and casual laborers. According to the commission, the provision extends beyond workers employed within their own constituencies.
Voters registered in constituencies holding elections but working in industrial or commercial establishments outside those constituencies will also qualify for the paid holiday. This ensures that workers employed away from their voting districts can travel to cast their ballots without financial penalty.
The Election Commission has directed state governments to issue necessary instructions ensuring strict adherence to this legal requirement. The provision, established under the Representation of the People Act, aims to remove economic barriers to voting and encourage higher voter turnout.
The announcement serves as a reminder to employers across affected regions about their legal obligations during election periods. By enforcing this provision, the commission seeks to protect workers’ voting rights while holding employers accountable for maintaining democratic participation standards.
The two-phase Bihar elections and November 11 bypolls represent significant electoral events where this provision will be implemented and monitored.
