Maharashtra Polls: In view of the upcoming voting on November 20 in Maharashtra, a public holiday has been declared.
The Mumbai Municipal Commissioner has issued a notification mandating that all businesses, industrial groups, corporations, companies, institutions, and other establishments grant a holiday to their workers, employees, and officials on November 20, 2024, to enable them to exercise their voting rights in the Assembly elections.
Additionally, instructions have been given to take action against employers who fail to comply with these rules.
The Commissioner of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and District Election Officer, Bhushan Gagrani, has directed that all businesses, trades, industrial groups, corporations, companies, institutions, and other establishments operating within the Greater Mumbai area (Mumbai Suburban District and Mumbai City District) must grant a holiday to their workers, employees, and officials to allow them to exercise their voting rights.
For the Assembly elections on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, it will be mandatory for employers to approve leave for their staff.
In line with the directives of the Election Commission of India and the Chief Electoral Officer of Maharashtra, various new activities are being implemented under the guidance of District Electoral Officer and Greater Mumbai Municipal Commissioner, Bhushan Gagrani, to increase voter turnout in the Greater Mumbai area (Mumbai Suburban District and Mumbai City District).
Against this backdrop, instructions have been issued to ensure that all voters in the Mumbai Suburban and Mumbai City districts are able to exercise their right to vote in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Elections 2024.
• Every person working in a business, trade, industrial establishment, or any other establishment within the polling area, who is eligible to vote in the state assembly elections, will be granted leave on the voting day, Wednesday, November 20, 2024.
• This rule applies to all industrial groups, corporations, companies, institutions, industrial enterprises, and other establishments.
• No deductions will be made from the salary of the concerned individual for this leave. Any violation of these rules or provisions by an employer will result in action as per the Election Commission's guidelines.
• According to Section 135(B) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, no action will be taken against any voter whose absence from duty would endanger or be detrimental to their employment.
• Additionally, in exceptional circumstances, workers, employees, officials, etc., may be given at least four hours of leave if it is not possible to grant a full-day leave to exercise their right to vote. However, in such cases, prior permission from the District Electoral Officer is required.
• If it is found that an individual was unable to exercise their voting rights due to not being granted leave or a concession, appropriate action will be taken against the concerned employer. Therefore, all corporations, industrial groups, companies, institutions, industrial enterprises, and other establishments under the Industry Department must strictly adhere to these instructions issued by the District Electoral Administration.