Maharashtra Elections: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has mandated that all employees of businesses, institutions and other workplaces in Mumbai shall be given paid leave on November 20 in order to cast their votes. The decision is aimed at ensuring maximum voter participation in the upcoming state elections.
Maharashtra elections: All employees paid leave on election day
Brihanmumbai Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani announced that all employees of the city will be entitled to paid leave on November 20, the day of the Maharashtra Assembly elections.
This includes workers in all sectors, whether they are employed in industrial, commercial or service establishments.
As per the Election Commission’s directive, the rules are applicable to all businesses, industrial undertakings, companies and institutions operating in Brihanmumbai district.
Gaglani stressed that any violation of the directive will result in action against the employer rather than the employee, ensuring that workers are not punished for exercising their right to vote.
Maharashtra elections: No salary deduction on polling day
The district election official’s order also makes clear that employees will not face salary deductions for taking time off to vote.
Employers found to be in breach of the directive will be penalized in accordance with the Electoral Commission guidelines to ensure that workers can participate in the electoral process without fear of financial consequences.
“Every person who is engaged in any business, trade, industrial undertaking or any other establishment in the polling area in which the election is held and who is entitled to vote in the State Assembly elections shall have a holiday on polling day, which is Wednesday, November 20, 2024,” the the order states.
Maharashtra elections: Exception for emergency workers
The order includes flexibility provisions for workers who play an important role in an emergency or face extraordinary circumstances.
In these cases, employees must be given at least four hours to vote, subject to prior approval from the district election official. This ensures that critical services continue without interruption, while still respecting the rights of employees to participate in the democratic process.
