The Election Commission of India (ECI) has officially sounded the bugle for the 2026 State Assembly Elections. In a fresh notification (No. 78/EPS/2026), the ECI has mandated a paid public holiday for all eligible voters in the poll-bound states.
For business owners and HR heads, this isn’t just a notice – it’s a statutory requirement. Under Section 135B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, every employee entitled to vote must be granted a holiday on the day of the poll without any deduction in wages.
Election Schedule & Holiday Dates
To ensure your operations stay compliant, here are the critical dates you need to mark on your payroll calendar:
| State / UT | Election Date | Nature of Holiday |
| Assam | 09/04/2026 (Thursday) | Paid Public Holiday |
| Kerala | 09/04/2026 (Thursday) | Paid Public Holiday |
| Puducherry | 09/04/2026 (Thursday) | Paid Public Holiday |
| Tamil Nadu | 23/04/2026 (Thursday) | Paid Public Holiday |
| West Bengal (Phase 1) | 23/04/2026 (Thursday) | Paid Public Holiday |
| West Bengal (Phase 2) | 29/04/2026 (Wednesday) | Paid Public Holiday |
The Compliance Risk
Non-compliance is not an option. Employers who fail to provide this holiday or deduct wages for the absence face penalties and legal action as per the Act. This rule applies to all industrial, commercial, and other establishments where voters are employed.
Kindly take note.
Thank you for reading. We hope the information was helpful to you!
Team SGC Services
NOIDA | DELHI | MUMBAI | BANGALORE
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Paid HoliDay 5 States General Elections 2026.pdf
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