Paid holiday on Bihar polling days; ECI reiterates entitlement for all workers under Section 135B

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