ECI mandates paid holiday for voters on polling day in states headed to Assembly elections

The Election Commission of India has directed employers to grant paid holidays to voters on polling day in states and UTs headed for Assembly elections and bypolls, warning that violations will attract penalties under the Representation of the People Act.

New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday laid down guidelines for states/UTs headed to Assembly elections as well as bypolls in the next few days to facilitate maximum participation of voters in the electoral process.

The polling body, in a detailed statement, elaborated on provisions for providing paid holiday to the electors on voting day in respective states. It has also cautioned the employers against any violations, stating that any attempt to bypass the instructions will invite a penalty.

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Invoking the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the ECI said, “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.”

“No deduction of wages shall be made on account of such a paid holiday,” it added.

Notably, four states and one union territory, namely Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry, are set to elect their new Legislative Assemblies, while by-elections will be held in eight Assembly constituencies in Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Nagaland and Tripura.

Assam, Kerala and Puducherry will head to the polls on April 9, Tamil Nadu on April 23, while West Bengal will see two-phased elections on April 23 and 29.

The respective state governments have already announced public holidays on polling day to facilitate smooth elections. All government offices, institutions and colleges will remain closed in these states.

Reiterating the provisions of paid holiday on polling day, the ECI said, “Any employer who contravenes these provisions shall be liable to a fine. All daily wage and casual workers are also entitled to a paid holiday on the day of the poll.”

The electors working in other constituencies will also be entitled to a paid holiday.

“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,” said the ECI in its notification.

It has also directed the respective state and UT governments to ensure that the instructions are complied with.