**Executive Summary**
The Election Commission of India has issued notifications for bye-elections in three Legislative Assembly constituencies across Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Bihar, commencing the nomination process on July 6, 2026. Key dates include the polling day on July 30, 2026, and the counting of votes on August 3, 2026. The document mandates statutory compliance regarding paid holidays for voters and the declaration of "dry days" during the election period.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Election Schedule and Locations**
* **Constituencies:** Bye-elections will be held for 22-Datia (Madhya Pradesh), 145-Manjalpur (Gujarat), and 182-Bankipur (Bihar).
* **Nomination Deadlines:** The last date for nominations is July 13, 2026, followed by scrutiny on July 14 and a withdrawal deadline of July 16.
* **Polling and Counting:** Polls will take place on July 30, 2026 (7:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.), with vote counting scheduled for August 3, 2026.
* **Completion:** The entire election process must be completed by August 4, 2026.
**Paid Holiday Mandates (Section 135B)**
* **Universal Entitlement:** Every person employed in any business, trade, industrial undertaking, or establishment entitled to vote must be granted a paid holiday on the day of the poll.
* **Wage Protection:** No deduction of wages shall be made for this holiday.
* **Inclusion of Casual Workers:** The benefit specifically includes daily wage and casual workers.
* **Out-of-Constituency Workers:** Electors working in establishments located outside their constituency are still entitled to a paid holiday if they are registered voters in a poll-bound area.
* **Penalties:** Any employer who contravenes these provisions is liable to a fine.
**Liquor Restrictions (Section 135C)**
* **48-Hour Prohibition:** No spirituous, fermented, or intoxicating liquors shall be sold or distributed within the polling area for 48 hours ending with the conclusion of the poll.
* **Scope of Restriction:** This applies to hotels, eating houses, taverns, shops, and both public and private places.
* **Counting Day:** A "dry day" must also be declared and notified for the day of counting, August 3, 2026.
**Impact Analysis**
**Candidates**
**Impact**
Subject to strict statutory timelines for filing nominations and withdrawing candidatures.
**Action Required**
Must submit nominations by July 13, 2026, and manage any withdrawals by July 16, 2026.
**Employers and Business Owners**
**Impact**
Legally required to provide paid leave to all eligible employees, including casual staff, with no wage deductions. Non-compliance results in fines.
**Action Required**
Grant a paid holiday to all registered electors on July 30, 2026, regardless of whether the workplace is inside or outside the poll-bound constituency.
**Employees and Workers**
**Impact**
Entitled to a day off with full pay to exercise their voting rights.
**Action Required**
Eligible voters should utilize the paid holiday to cast their votes on July 30, 2026.
**Liquor Retailers and Hospitality Establishments**
**Impact**
Prohibited from selling or distributing alcohol during specified "dry day" periods.
**Action Required**
Cease all liquor distribution for the 48 hours prior to the close of polls on July 30 and throughout the counting day on August 3, 2026.
Key Entities Referenced
Election Commission of India: The primary regulatory body responsible for conducting the bye-elections and issuing notifications and compliance instructions.
Section 135B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951: Statutory provision mandating that every person entitled to vote, including casual and daily wage workers, be granted a paid holiday on the day of the poll.
Section 135C of the Representation of the People Act, 1951: Statutory provision requiring the declaration of 'dry days' and the prohibition of liquor sales in polling areas during the 48 hours ending with the conclusion of the poll.
Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Bihar: The specific states where bye-elections are scheduled for the 22-Datia, 145-Manjalpur, and 182-Bankipur Legislative Assembly constituencies.
Election Commission
Bye-elections to the Legislative Assemblies of
Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Bihar Filing of
nominations begin
प्रव तथ: 06 JUL 2026 6:09PM by PIB Delhi
1. Election Commission of India has issued notifications on July 6, 2026 for holding bye-elections to
fill vacancies in the 3 Legislative Assemblies namely, 22-Datia in Madhya Pradesh, 145-Manjalpur
in Gujarat and 182-Bankipur in Bihar. With the issue of these notifications, the process of filing
nominations has commenced for the three ACs.
2. Constituency-wise bye-election schedules are as follows:
S. No. Election Activity Date / Time
1. Last date for making nominations Monday, July 13, 2026
2. Scrutiny of nominations Tuesday, July 14, 2026
3. Last date for withdrawal of candidatures Thursday, July 16, 2026
4. Date and hours of poll, if necessary Thursday, July 30, 2026,
7:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.
5. Date of counting of votes Monday, August 3, 2026,
8:00 AM onwards
6. Date before which election shall be completed Tuesday, August 4, 2026
3. The Commission also issued instructions today to the states concerned to ensure compliance with
the statutory provisions of paid holiday and dry days in the poll-bound constituencies.
4. As per Section 135B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, every person employed in any
business, trade, industrial undertaking, or any other establishment and entitled to vote at the bye-
election shall be granted a paid holiday on the day of poll and no deduction of wages shall be
made. All daily wages and casual workers are also entitled to a paid holiday on the day of poll. Any
employer who contravenes these provisions shall be liable to a fine.
5. The Commission has further clarified that electors, including casual and daily wage workers, who
are working or employed in industrial or commercial establishments located outside their
constituency but are registered as electors in a constituency going to poll, shall also be entitled to
the benefit of paid holiday on the day of poll to enable them to cast their vote.6. Section 135C of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 provides that no spirituous, fermented
or intoxicating liquor or other substances of like nature shall be sold, given or distributed at a hotel,
eating house, tavern, shop or any other place, public or private, within a polling area during the
period of forty-eight hours ending with the hour fixed for the conclusion of poll for any election in
the polling area. This will include the date of re-poll, if any. In view of this, 'Dry day' shall be
declared and notified under the relevant State laws.
7. 'Dry day' shall also be declared on the day of counting i.e. August 3, 2026.
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PK/GDH/RP
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