EC Announces Paid Holiday On Voting Days In 11 States For Assembly Elections And Bypolls | Check Dates

Assembly Elections: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday announced the guidelines for states/UTs which are set to undergo the assembly elections and bypolls in the next few days, aiming for maximum participation of voters. The polling body, in a statement, declared a paid holiday for the electors on voting day in respective states.

The election to Legislative Assemblies of Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal and Bye-election to 8 (Eight) Assembly Constituencies of Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Nagaland and Tripura will be held in the coming days.

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Polls in the states are to be held as per the schedule given below:

States:                      Holiday

Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Goa, Karnataka, Nagaland and Tripura: April 9

Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Maharashtra: April 23

West Bengal: April 23 and 29

"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 statement read.

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Action Against Employer For Violation

The poll body said there will be no deduction of wages on account of such a paid holiday. Any employer who contravenes these provisions shall be liable to a fine, it said. All daily wage and casual workers are also entitled to a paid holiday on the day of poll, the Election Commission stated.

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.

The Commission has directed all State/UT 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.