ECI reminds employers of paid holiday on polling day under Section 135B
The Election Commission on 3 April 2026 directed states and UTs to ensure a paid holiday on polling day under Section 135B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, including for daily-wage and casual workers.
Summary
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on 3 April 2026 directed all state and UT governments to ensure compliance with Section 135B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, under which every person employed in any business, trade, industrial undertaking or other establishment who is entitled to vote must be given a paid holiday on polling day, with no deduction of wages; employers who contravene this are liable to a fine. The ECI said daily-wage and casual workers are also entitled, as are electors working outside their constituency but registered in a constituency going to polls. Polling was scheduled on 9 April in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Goa, Karnataka, Nagaland and Tripura; on 23 April in Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Maharashtra; and on 23 and 29 April in West Bengal.
Key facts
- Law
- Section 135B, Representation of the People Act, 1951
- Entitlement
- Paid holiday on poll day; no wage deduction
- Covers
- Daily-wage and casual workers; electors working outside their constituency
- Penalty
- Fine on contravening employers
- Poll dates
- 9 Apr (AS, KL, PY + bye-polls); 23 Apr (TN, GJ, MH); WB 23 & 29 Apr
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Under which provision is an employed elector entitled to a paid holiday on polling day?
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Correct answer: C — Section 135B of the RP Act, 1951
The ECI cited Section 135B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
As per the ECI schedule cited on 3 April 2026, on which date was the second phase of polling in West Bengal?
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Correct answer: A — 29 April 2026
The ECI listed West Bengal polling on 23 April (Phase I) and 29 April 2026 (Phase II).
Consider the following statements about the paid holiday on polling day, as clarified by the ECI: 1. Employers may deduct wages for the polling-day holiday if the worker is a casual or daily-wage worker. 2. Electors working outside their constituency but registered in a constituency going to polls are not entitled to the paid holiday. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
Neither is correct: the ECI said no wages may be deducted and casual and daily-wage workers are entitled, and electors working outside their constituency are also entitled.