Bihar Voters Entitled to Paid Leave on Election Days: EC Warns Employers of Penalties for Non-Compliance

New Delhi:

The Election Commission announced on Saturday that voters in Bihar, where elections will be conducted in two phases next month, are entitled to receive paid holidays on polling days. Employers who violate this legal requirement may face financial penalties.

The Commission further stated that voters in eight assembly constituencies across various states where by-elections are scheduled for November 11 will also be granted paid holidays.

"According to section 135B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, every individual employed in any business, trade, industrial undertaking, or any other establishment who is eligible to vote in 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 polling day," the EC explained while referencing legal provisions.

The Election Commission emphasized that there should be no wage deductions due to this paid holiday provision.

"Any employer who violates these provisions will be subject to a fine," the Commission warned.

All daily wage and casual workers are also eligible for a paid holiday on election day, according to the announcement.

The Commission pointed out that voters, including casual and daily wage workers who are employed in industrial or commercial establishments located outside their constituency but are registered as voters in a constituency where elections are being held, will also be entitled to the benefit of a paid holiday on the election day to enable them to cast their vote.

The EC has instructed concerned states to issue necessary directives for strict compliance with this provision.