General Elections and Bye-Elections 2026: Paid Holiday on Polling Day

KalimNews, Calcutta, April 4, 2026 : The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced the schedule for the General Elections to the Legislative Assemblies of Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, along with Bye-elections to eight Assembly Constituencies in Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Nagaland, and Tripura. The announcement was made on March 15, 2026.

Election Poll Dates

The polls will be conducted according to the following schedule:

State/UT	Type of Election	Poll Date
Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Goa, Karnataka, Nagaland, Tripura	General / Bye-elections	09.04.2026
Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Maharashtra	General / Bye-elections	23.04.2026
West Bengal	General Elections	23.04.2026 (Phase I), 29.04.2026 (Phase II)

In accordance with Section 135B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, every person employed in any business, trade, industrial undertaking, or other establishments—and who is entitled to vote in elections to the House of the People or Legislative Assembly of States/UTs, or in Bye-elections to a PC/AC—shall be granted a paid holiday on the day of the poll.

• No deduction of wages shall be made for this paid holiday.
• Employers who violate this provision will be liable to a fine.
• All daily wage and casual workers are also entitled to this paid holiday.

The Commission has further clarified:  “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.”

To ensure smooth and fair participation, the ECI has directed all State and UT Governments to issue necessary instructions for strict compliance. This is to guarantee that all electors are able to exercise their franchise freely and conveniently.