Government of West Bengal
Finance Department
Audit Branch
325, Sarat Chatterjee Road, Nabanna, Howrah-711 102.
No. 1173-F(P2) Dated 30/03/2026
MEMORANDUM
In view of the General Elections to the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2026, scheduled to be held in two phases on 23rd April, 2026 (Thursday) and 29th April, 2026 (Wednesday) in different Assembly Constituencies, as detailed in the ‘fable below in terms of Press Note No. ECI/PN/029/2026 dated 15/03/2026 issued by the Election Commission of India, the undersigned is directed to say that the Governor is pleased to declare the days of poll as public holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, for Government offices, Organizations, Undertakings, Corporations, Boards, Statutory and Local Bodies, and Educational Institutions situated within the respective Assembly Constituencies, as specified below (wherever applicable):
| Phase | Date of poll | Assembly Constituency numbers | Holiday under N.I Act |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Phase | 23/04/2026 (Thursday) | 1-76, 203-258, 275-294 (Total number of Assembly Constituencies- 152) | 23/04/2026 (Thursday) |
| 2nd Phase | 29/04/2026 (Wednesday) | 77-202, 259-274 (Total number of Assembly Constituencies-142) | 29/04/2026 (Wednesday) |
- The Labour Department will issue suitable instructions to shops, commercial and industrial establishments, including Tea Gardens, to declare the relevant date of poll as a paid holiday for workers in the concerned Assembly Constituencies to enable them to exercise their franchise.
- There may be cases where a person is ordinarily resident in a Constituency and registered as an elector therein but is serving or employed in an establishment located outside the said Constituency. In such cases, such electors, including casual workers, will be entitled to the benefit of a paid holiday under Section 135B(1) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
- In the event of a re-poll, employees/ workers will be allowed to cast their votes on the date of re-poll in the same manner as provided in paragraphs 2 and 3 above.
- In cases where the poll process continues till late hours on the day of poll, resulting in delayed release of polling personnel from Reception Centres and rendering it difficult for them to attend office on the following day, i.e., 24th April, 2026 (Friday) and 30th April, 2026 (Thursday), special leave may be granted for that day to deserving employees only.
- In respect of Government Offices/ Educational Institutions, etc., which will be used as Polling Station/Sector Office/ Distribution-cum-Reception Centre, a local holiday may be declared for the said institutions/establishmenls by the Competent Authority on the dates of dispatch i.e. 22nd April, 2026 (Wednesday) and 28th April, 2026 (Tuesday).
Sd/- P.K. Mishra
Additional Chief Secretary to the
Government of West Bengal