When are the Public Holidays for Lok Shaba Elections?
Because of the enormous number of election officials and security personnel involved, voting in the elections for Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Parliament of India, take place on different days across India.
Within states, the polling day takes place on different days in some districts.
The 2024 Indian general election to constitute the 18th Lok Sabha is scheduled to be held in seven phases from April 19th to June 1st 2024.
India is the largest democracy in the world with 900m eligible to vote in India’s polls, representing more than 10% of the world’s population. As the voting is split over several days, it cannot claim that it is the world's largest election - that's Indonesia whose elections take place on one day.
Election schedule
| Phase | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polling Date | Apr-19 | Apr-26 | May-07 | May-13 | May-20 | May-25 | Jun-01 |
| No. of Constituencies | 102 | 89 | 94 | 96 | 49 | 57 | 57 |
| Issue of notification | Mar-20 | Mar-28 | Apr-12 | Apr-18 | Apr-26 | Apr-29 | May-07 |
| Last date of nomination | Mar-28 | Apr-04 | Apr-19 | Apr-25 | May-03 | May-06 | May-14 |
| Scrutiny of nominations | Mar-30 | Apr-05 | Apr-20 | Apr-26 | May-04 | May-07 | May-15 |
| Withdrawal of candidature | Apr-02 | Apr-08 | Apr-22 | Apr-29 | May-06 | May-09 | May-17 |
State details
Below we have listed details of those states who have declared public holidays during the voting period.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands
The election schedule has been announced by the Election Commission of India, vide Press Note No.ECI/PN/23/2024 dated 16.03.2024 and No.ECI/PN/24/2024 dated 16.03.2024, which stipulates that the General Election of Andaman and Nicobar Islands Parliamentary Constituency will be held in single phase on 19.04.2024 (Friday).
In exercise of powers conferred under Section 25 of the Negotiable Instrument Act,1881 read with MHA’s Notification No.2/6/57-J dated 17.12.1957 and in pursuance of Section 135B of the Representation of People Act, 1951 read with letter No.78/EPS.2024 dated 16th March, 2024 of Election Commission of India, the Lt. Governor, Andaman & Nicobar Islands has declared public holiday on the day of Poll i.e. 19.04.2024 (Friday) for all Public Offices, Local Bodies and Educational Institutions and a paid holiday for all Commercial Establishments/undertakings in the UT of A&N Islands.
Arunachal Pradesh
The Arunachal Pradesh Govt, in a notification, has declared April 19, a public holiday, 2024, due to simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and Assembly.
Additionally, it is emphasized that there should be no deduction or abatement of wages for individuals employed in private businesses, trades or industrial undertakings in accordance.
Assam
The Assam government has announced localised public holidays in respective constituencies during the three-phase Lok Sabha polls in the state. The notification, issued by an order of the governor, announced public holidays on April 19th, 26th, and May 7th 2024 in areas where polling is scheduled on those dates under the Negotiable Instruments Act of 1881
In the first phase on April 19th, polling will be held in five constituencies: Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Kaziranga, Lakhimpur, and Sonitpur.
The second phase on April 2th6 will see polling in another five seats: Silchar, Karimganj, Diphu, Nagaon, and Darrang-Udalguri.
The remaining four constituencies – Guwahati, Dhubri, Barpeta, and Kokrakhjar – will go to the polls in the third phase on May 7th.
All government and non-government offices, PRIs, urban local bodies, educational institutions, business and commercial establishments including banks, tea gardens, and industries within the specified jurisdiction of the constituencies will remain closed on polling days, the General Administration Department order said.
Chandigarh
UT Chandigarh Administration announced Public Holiday on June 1st 2024 on account of Lok Sabha Poll on that day.
Delhi
The polling day in the NCT of Delhi is scheduled for May 25th.
According to the order, all eligible employees, whether they work in the public or private sector, who are voters in the NCT of Delhi are entitled to a paid holiday to exercise their democratic right to vote on the polling day.
Goa
State govt has declared May 7th 2024 as a public holiday on account of the Lok Sabha elections which will be held in the state on that day. Govt issued a notification saying that May 7th, Tuesday, will be added to the list of paid holidays for the year. The holiday applies to industry employees, daily wage workers, corporate staff, private establishment workers, and casual workers.
Gujarat
The Government of Gujarat has declared public holiday on May 7th. Polling for all 26 Lok Sabha seats of Gujarat will take place on this day. Over 4.96 lakh voters are registered with the Election Commission in the State. The private sector employees will have a paid holiday on polling day if they are registered as voters in the State.
Himachal Pradesh
In view of the upcoming Lok Sabha and Legislative Assembly bypolls, Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla declared June 1st 2024 as gazetted holiday to enable the employees working in all government offices, boards, corporations, educational institutions and industrial establishments situated in Himachal Pradesh to exercise their right to franchise.
Jammu and Kashmir
The Jammu and Kashmir administration has announced public holidays on poll dates in the five Lok Sabha constituencies of the Union Territory. An order to this effect was issued by the General Administration Department (GAD). According to the GAD order, the government has notified the holidays under the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
As per the order, public holidays will be observed in the following constituencies on their respective poll dates.
- April 19th will be a public holiday in Udhampur Lok Sabha constituency
- April 26th in Jammu constituency
- May 7th in Anantnag-Rajouri constituency
- May 13th in Srinagar constituency
- May 20th in Baramulla constituency
Karnataka
The Lok Sabha polling dates in Karnataka have already been announced, with voting scheduled to occur in two phases across the state. Both days have been designated as public holidays.
The first phase of polling is set for April 26th, followed by the second phase on May 7th. On these days, both permanent and daily wage labourers, along with employees working in all state government offices, schools, colleges, business establishments, industries, and other organizations, are granted holidays with pay.
Kerala
A public holiday has been declared in the state on April 26th, when the Lok Sabha elections will be held. The holiday applies to all institutions including government offices and educational institutions.
Lakshadweep
Declaration of Public Holiday on 19th April, 2024 for Public Offices and Educational Institutions and paid holiday for commercial undertaking in Lakshadweep in connection with the General Election to the Lok Sabha 2024.
Maharashtra
The Government of Maharashtra issued a notification, dated 3rd April 2024, announcing public holidays in certain parliamentary constituencies due to the General Election of 2024. The notification lists the dates of polling and the corresponding parliamentary constituencies for which public holidays are declared.
Manipur
The Manipur government has declared a public holiday on April 19th and April 26th.
The order states that the Governor of Manipur is pleased to declare April 19, 2024, as a public holiday for all public offices, educational institutions, autonomous bodies, etc., and a paid holiday for commercial and private undertakings in the state located within the area of 47 (forty-seven) Assembly segments under one phase of polling in connection with the general elections to the 18th Lok Sabha, 2024, as per Section 135B of the Representations of the People Act, 1951.
The order further declared April 26, 2024, as a public holiday for all public offices and educational institutions, autonomous bodies, etc., and a paid holiday for commercial and private undertakings in the state located within the area of 13 (thirteen) Assembly segments under the 2nd phase of polling in connection with the general elections to the 18th” Lok Sabha, 2024, as per Section 135B of the Representations of the People Act, 1951.
People working in all private enterprises, private industrial centers, and other private institutions under the Shops and Commercial Establishment Act will get paid holidays on April 19 and 26, 2024.
Meghalaya
The Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya on Thursday informed that all State Government Offices and Educational Institutions shall remain closed on April 19 in order to enable the voters to exercise their franchise in connection with the General Election to Lok Sabha, 2024.
Mizoram
The Governor of Mizoram, in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 and as provided under Section 135B of the representation of the People Act, 1951 has declared the 19th of April, 2024 (Friday) as Paid Holiday for every person employed in any business, trade, industrial undertaking or any other establishment and registered as voters under the State of Mizoram to enable the voters to exercise their franchise in the General Election to Lok Sabha, 2024.
Nagaland
The Home Department of Nagaland has notified that under Section 135B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and given the forthcoming General Election to the Lok Sabha; the day of polling i.e. April 19 (Friday) has been declared as Paid Holiday for all the employees of Government/Private and Business Establishments in the State of Nagaland to enable them to participate and exercise their franchise.
Odisha
The Odisha government has announced localised public holidays in respective constituencies during the four-phased Lok Sabha and assembly polls. Elections in the state will be held on May 13th, May 20th, May 25th and June 1st.
"The government of Odisha has been pleased to declare holiday for the employees of the state government offices and magisterial courts (executive) on May 13 (Monday), May 20 (Monday), May 25 (Saturday) and June1 (Saturday) for the offices located within the parliamentary constituencies and assembly segments coming within those parliamentary constituencies to enable the employees to exercise their franchise," read the notification.
According to the election schedule, voting for 28 assembly segments and four MP segments— Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Berhampur and Koraput — will be held on May 13, while Bargarh, Sundergarh, Bolangir, Kandhamal and Aska MP constituencies along with 35 assembly seats coming under these LS seats will vote on May 20.
In the third phase, slated for May 25, six parliamentary constituencies — Sambalpur, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Cuttack, Puri, and Bhubaneswar - will go to polls. On the same day, polling will also be held for 42 assembly constituencies coming under these LS seats.
In the final phase on June 1, the remaining six constituencies — Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur - will vote along with 42 assembly segments.
Punjab
In a circular issued by the Punjab Government stated "It is hereby notified that General Elections to Lok Sabha 2024 will be held in Punjab State on 01.06.2024 (Saturday). It is hereby declared under the Negotiable Instrument Act-1881 including gazetted holiday on 01.06.2024 (Saturday) for Government Offices/Boards/Corporations/Educational Institutions situated in the State of Punjab keeping in view the elections."
Tamil Nadu
The Chief Secretary of the Tamil Nadu State Government, Shivdas Meena, has made a significant announcement ahead of the Parliamentary Election Day, declaring a public holiday on April 19th. This decision aims to facilitate citizens in exercising their democratic right to vote during the crucial electoral process.
Uttarakhand
Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], April 3 (ANI): Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in the country, the Uttarakhand government has declared a public holiday on April 19th 2024.
The order was issued by the General Administration Department of the Uttarakhand government. The order stated that all the educational institutes, banks, government and private offices, and all industrial and manufacturing units, etc. will stay closed on April 19th. This step has been taken keeping in mind that all the people use their voting rights and participate readily in the upcoming general elections.
West Bengal
The West Bengal government has announced localised public holidays in the respective constituency during seven-phased Lok Sabha polls, and assembly by-elections.
