Holiday: The Government of West Bengal has declared a public holiday on Thursday, June 19, 2025, in areas falling under the 80-Kaliganj Assembly Constituency due to a scheduled bye-election. This was announced via a memorandum (No.2030-F(P2)/FA/O/2M/74/16(NB)) dated June 2, 2025, following a Press Note from the Election Commission of India (ECI/PN/220/2025, dated May 25, 2025).
Scope and Applicability of the Holiday:
The public holiday has been declared under Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881. It will be applicable to the following entities situated within the extent of the 80-Kaliganj Assembly Constituency:
- Government offices
- Government organizations
- Government undertakings
- Corporations
- Boards
- Statutory and Local Bodies
- Educational Institutions
The Labour Department is tasked with issuing separate instructions to ensure that shops, commercial establishments, industrial undertakings, and tea gardens within the constituency also declare the polling day as a paid holiday for their workers. This is to enable them to exercise their franchise.
Key Provisions for Voters and Election Personnel:
- Voters Employed Outside the Constituency: Electors who are ordinarily residents of the Kaliganj constituency and registered voters there, but are employed in industrial undertakings or other establishments located outside this constituency, are also entitled to a paid holiday. This includes casual workers, as per Section 135B(1) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
- In Case of Re-Poll: If a re-poll is conducted, employees and workers will be granted leave to cast their votes, following the same paid holiday guidelines as for the initial polling day (as per Para-2 and Para-3 of the memorandum).
- Polling Personnel: If the polling process on June 19th extends late into the night, potentially delaying the release of Polling Personnel from Reception Centres, special leave may be allowed for deserving employees on the following day, Friday, June 20, 2025.
- Institutions Used for Polling: Government offices, educational institutions, etc., that are designated as Polling Stations, Sector Offices, or Distribution-cum-Reception Centres may be declared a local holiday by the competent authority on the dispatch day, Wednesday, June 18, 2025.
This comprehensive approach aims to facilitate maximum voter turnout and ensure the smooth conduct of the bye-election.
