The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced specific bank holidays in cities conducting polls as part of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024, which are scheduled to take place over seven phases from April 19 to June 1. The election will kick off with its first phase on April 19, with subsequent phases on April 26, May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1.
The RBI has classified these bank holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act, ensuring that all banking operations, except for digital services, will remain closed in the cities on polling days. Despite the closures, customers can continue to use online banking services, ATMs, and mobile apps to conduct necessary transactions.
Bank Holiday Schedule and Detailed Polling
The first phase of polling started on April 19, and the cities like Bangalore, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, and Jammu will observe a bank holiday on April 26 during the second phase of voting. This phase will cover 89 constituencies across 13 states and Union Territories, including Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Rajasthan, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
The RBI may also declare additional bank holidays on May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1, coinciding with the polling schedule in other regions.
Public Holidays for Election Day
Several states are taking measures to facilitate voting. For instance, the Karnataka High Court has already declared public holidays on April 26 and May 7 in areas where voting will occur, ensuring that state government employees, students, and workers in public sectors have the opportunity to participate in the electoral process.
The Lok Sabha Elections 2024 are a pivotal event, and the RBI’s scheduling of bank holidays is a crucial part of ensuring a smooth electoral process for all participants. The final phase of voting will conclude on June 1, with results expected to be announced on June 4, 2024.
