New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday announced that all employed electors in Bihar will be granted a paid holiday on November 6 and 11, the two polling days for the Bihar Assembly elections. The Commission warned that employers would face penalties if they deducted wages for employees’ absence on polling days.
In a circular, the ECI directed all State governments to issue necessary instructions to ensure strict compliance with these provisions and to facilitate every elector’s right to vote freely and conveniently.
“As per Section 135B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, 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 the Legislative Assembly of a State or Union Territory, shall be granted a paid holiday on the day of poll,” the circular, issued by Deputy Director P. Pawan, stated.
The circular further emphasised that no deduction of wages should be made on account of such paid leave. “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,” it said.
The Commission clarified that the same benefit applies to electors—including casual and daily wage workers—employed in industrial or commercial establishments located outside their home constituencies but registered as voters in constituencies going to polls. They too must be allowed a paid holiday to enable them to cast their votes.
According to the ECI’s schedule, by-elections to eight Assembly constituencies across seven states will also take place on November 11.
Meanwhile, on Friday, the ECI convened a meeting with heads of multiple enforcement and security agencies to strengthen vigilance against the movement of cash, liquor, drugs, and other illicit inducements during the Bihar poll campaign.
The meeting of the Multi-Departmental Committee on Election Intelligence (MDCEI) was held at Nirvachan Sadan in New Delhi, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.
The Commission underscored the need for proactive surveillance and preventive measures to curb electoral malpractices that could influence voter behaviour.
With IANS inputs