Election Commission announces Paid Holiday on Polling Day in Bihar

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced the dates for the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025 and bye-elections in eight Assembly Constituencies. Voting in Bihar will take place in two phases:

• Phase 1: November 6, 2025 (Thursday)
• Phase 2: November 11, 2025 (Tuesday)

The bye-elections in all eight constituencies will also be held on November 11, 2025. According to Section 135B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, every person who is employed in any office, shop, factory, or company and is eligible to vote must be given a paid holiday on the day of voting.

No salary or wage should be deducted for this holiday. If any employer breaks this rule, they can be fined. This rule also applies to daily wage and casual workers, who must also get a paid holiday to vote.

The Election Commission has also said that voters who work outside their constituency but are registered as voters in an area where voting is happening should also be given a paid holiday so that they can go and vote.

The ECI has asked all State and Union Territory governments to make sure these rules are followed properly so that every voter can vote easily and freely.