The Government of Rajasthan, Labour Department has issued an order directing employers of industrial and commercial establishments situated within the concerned Urban Local Body election constituencies to provide a paid holiday to eligible workers on the respective polling dates of 9 September 2026 and 11 September 2026. The order follows the election programme announced by the State Election Commission, Rajasthan.
Polling Dates
The elections are scheduled in two phases:
9 September 2026 – First Phase
11 September 2026 – Second Phase
Employers falling within the concerned election areas are required to provide paid leave on the applicable polling day to workers who are entitled to vote in the respective election.
Who Is Covered?
The direction applies to workers employed in industrial and commercial establishments located within the relevant Urban Local Body election constituencies.
Importantly, the order specifically clarifies that the benefit of paid holiday extends to all workers, including casual workers, provided they are entitled to vote in the concerned election.
Paid Holiday for Voting
The order refers to Section 135B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which provides for grant of a paid holiday to employees on the day of polling so that they can exercise their right to vote.
The Rajasthan Government has also referred to the applicability of these provisions to elections of Urban Local Bodies under Section 28 of the Rajasthan Municipalities Act, 2009.
Accordingly, an eligible employee should:
be granted leave on the relevant polling day;
receive the leave with wages;
not suffer any deduction from wages merely because of absence for voting; and
be allowed sufficient opportunity to exercise the right to vote.
The order reproduces the statutory principle that where an employee would ordinarily not have received wages for that day, the employee may still be entitled to wages as contemplated under the applicable provision.
Employer Compliance Requirement
Employers should identify employees who are registered voters in the constituencies where polling is being held and ensure that paid holiday is granted on 9 September 2026 or 11 September 2026, as applicable.
The direction is particularly relevant for establishments that would otherwise remain operational on the polling dates.
Consequence of Non-Compliance
The order states that where an employer fails to provide the required leave to an employee for exercising the right to vote, the concerned Returning Officer may initiate appropriate penal proceedings by informing the District Election Officer.
Section 135B, as reproduced in the order, also provides for a monetary penalty in case of contravention of the paid-holiday requirement.
Compliance Takeaway
Employers having establishments or employees connected with the concerned Rajasthan Urban Local Body election areas should immediately:
verify whether their establishment falls within an affected election constituency;
identify employees eligible to vote;
grant paid holiday on the applicable polling date;
ensure that no wages are deducted because of such leave; and
communicate the holiday arrangement to employees in advance.
Notification Details
Issuing Authority: Government of Rajasthan – Labour Department
Subject: Paid holiday to workers on polling day for Urban Local Body elections
Polling Dates: 09.09.2026 and 11.09.2026
State: Rajasthan
Nature of Compliance: Mandatory paid holiday for eligible voters working in covered establishments
Compliance Alert: Establishments situated in the concerned election constituencies should treat the applicable polling day as a paid holiday for eligible employees, including casual workers.
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