The Election Commission of India has scheduled by-elections on July 30 to fill one vacant seat each in the legislative Assemblies of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Bihar. The constituencies to be filled are Datia in Madhya Pradesh, Manjalpur in Gujarat, and Bankipur in Bihar. Results for these by-elections will be announced on August 3.
The process of filing nominations for the three Assembly constituencies has begun following the issuance of notifications by the ECI. Nominations will be scrutinized on July 14, and the last date for withdrawal of candidatures is July 16. The ECI has instructed the concerned states to ensure compliance with statutory provisions of paid holiday and dry days in the poll-bound constituencies.
According to the Representation of the People Act, 1951, every eligible voter employed in any business, trade, or establishment is entitled to a paid holiday on the day of the by-election. The ECI emphasized that no deduction of wages should be made for this holiday. Additionally, daily-wage and casual workers are also entitled to a paid holiday on the polling day. Employers who violate these provisions may face fines.
The Election Commission clarified that voters, including casual and daily wage workers registered in a constituency going to poll but working outside that constituency, are eligible for a paid holiday to cast their votes.
