New Delhi, 03 April (H.S.):

The Election Commission of India has directed all employers to grant a paid holiday to employees on polling days during the 2026 state assembly elections and bypolls, ensuring no wage deductions for daily wage earners or casual workers.

Poll Schedule

Voting is set for April 9 in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Goa, Karnataka, Nagaland, and Tripura; April 23 in Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Maharashtra; and in two phases in West Bengal—April 23 and 29.

Legal Backing

Under Section 135B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, every voter in any business, trade, industry, or establishment qualifies for this leave, with penalties for non-compliant employers.

Outstation workers also receive it to exercise their franchise freely, as states and UTs enforce strict compliance.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar