Shriganganagar, 30 October. As directed by the State Election Commission, during the third phase of the Panchayati Raj General Election-2026 on 3 and 5 November, and during the fourth phase on 14 and 16 November 2026, public and paid holidays will be observed on voting days in the respective areas.
District Election Officer and District Collector Dr. Amit Yadav said that during the Panchayati Raj General Election 2026, if voting takes place, public holidays will be declared under the provisions of the Indian Penal Code 1881 in government and semi‑government offices in the respective constituencies on the scheduled dates, and in case of re‑polls, to allow voters to cast their ballots. In the third phase, voting for district council and panchayat committee members will be on 3 November in the Panchayat Committee of Shri Vijayanagar, Suratgarh, and Rajiyasar, and for panch and sarpanch on 5 November. Similarly, in the fourth phase, voting for district council and panchayat committee members will be on 14 November in the Panchayat Committee areas of Shriganganagar North, Shriganganagar South, Sadulshahar, Padampur, Karampur, Anupgarh, Raisingh Nagar, and Ghadisana, and for panch and sarpanch on 16 November.
Section 135B(II) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (relating to paid holidays for staff on polling day) specifies that employers of businesses, industries, and commercial establishments in the constituencies must provide paid leave to all workers, including casual workers, on the designated polling day, to ensure the free and fair exercise of the right to vote.