ECI: paid holiday on polling day for Bihar elections and bye-elections under Section 135B of RP Act
The Election Commission of India said on 18 October 2025 that voters employed in any establishment are entitled to a paid holiday on polling day under Section 135B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, for the Bihar Assembly election (6 and 11 November 2025) and 8 bye-elections (11 November 2025).
Summary
The Election Commission of India (ECI) issued a note on 18 October 2025 on paid holidays for the General Election to the Bihar Legislative Assembly, 2025, and bye-elections in 8 Assembly Constituencies. Bihar polls are on 6 November 2025 (Phase I) and 11 November 2025 (Phase II), and all 8 bye-elections are on 11 November 2025. Under Section 135B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, every person employed in any business, trade, industrial undertaking or other establishment who is entitled to vote in a Lok Sabha or State/UT Assembly election must be given a paid holiday on polling day; no wages may be deducted, and employers who contravene this are liable to a fine. Daily wage and casual workers are also entitled, as are voters working outside their constituency who are registered in a constituency going to the polls. The ECI directed all State/UT governments to ensure strict compliance.
Key facts
- Law
- Section 135B, Representation of the People Act, 1951
- Bihar poll dates
- 6 Nov 2025 (Phase I); 11 Nov 2025 (Phase II)
- Bye-elections
- 8 Assembly Constituencies, 11 Nov 2025
- Covers
- Employees incl. daily wage and casual workers
- Outside workers
- Voters employed outside their constituency also entitled
- Penalty
- Employer liable to a fine
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Which provision of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 entitles employed voters to a paid holiday on polling day?
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Correct answer: B — Section 135B
PIB (ECI): as per Section 135B of the RP Act, 1951, every employed person entitled to vote in a Lok Sabha or State/UT Assembly election shall be granted a paid holiday on the day of poll.
Consider the following statements about the paid holiday on polling day for the Bihar elections, 2025, as clarified by the ECI: 1. Daily wage and casual workers are also entitled to a paid holiday. 2. Voters employed outside their constituency are not entitled to the paid holiday even if registered in a constituency going to the polls. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. PIB (ECI): daily wage and casual workers are entitled; electors working outside their constituency but registered in a constituency going to the polls are also entitled to the paid holiday.