Paid holiday on Bihar polling days; ECI reiterates entitlement for all workers under Section 135B
Chandigarh, October 23, 2025:
The Election Commission of India announced that voters are entitled to a paid holiday on polling days for the Bihar Assembly elections—scheduled on November 6 (Phase I) and November 11 (Phase II)—and for bye-elections to eight Assembly constituencies on November 11.
Citing Section 135B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the Commission said every person employed in any business, trade, industrial undertaking, or other establishment who is entitled to vote must be granted a paid holiday on the day of poll, with no wage deduction permitted.
The ECI added that employers who contravene these provisions are liable to fines, and clarified that daily wage and casual workers are equally entitled to a paid holiday on the poll day.
Electors working in industrial or commercial establishments outside their constituency, but registered as voters in a constituency going to polls, are also entitled to a paid holiday to enable them to vote.
All State and Union Territory governments have been directed to issue instructions for strict compliance to ensure electors can exercise their franchise freely and conveniently.