The claim: Employers can cut your pay for taking polling day off.
Our verdict: False
Section 135B gives employees entitled to vote a holiday on polling day, and no wages can be deducted for it. Workers who would not normally be paid for that day must still receive what they would have earned, and daily wage and casual workers are covered. An employer who breaks this rule can be fined up to 500 rupees.
Exceptions and limits
The section does not apply to an elector whose absence may cause danger or substantial loss in respect of their employment. It names Lok Sabha and Assembly elections only.
Sources
- Representation of the People Act, 1951, section 135B (Manual of Election Law, Vol I)
- Press Information Bureau, General Elections and bye-elections 2026: paid holiday on polling day
Related: Is polling day a paid holiday? What the law says
This is a commonly repeated belief, and we are not attributing it to any person or party. Written by the India Vote Kar editorial team and checked on 31 October 2026. India Vote Kar also sells election software and campaign services; see how we check. Spotted a mistake? See our corrections policy.