Holiday for electors in poll-bound states: ECI lays down guidelines, cautions against violation

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.

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.