In a significant move to ensure maximum voter participation in the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections, the Mumbai District Election Officer and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner, Bhushan Gagrani, has announced a mandatory holiday for all citizens of Mumbai on Wednesday, November 20, 2024. This holiday is aimed at encouraging voters to exercise their democratic right and cast their votes in the crucial elections.
The announcement stresses that no salary deductions will be allowed for employees who take leave to vote on the polling day. Furthermore, strict action will be taken against employers who fail to comply with the directive. “It is mandatory for government and private sector companies, corporations, undertakings, industrial groups, trades, and all other establishments to grant leave to laborers, employees, and officers on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, to exercise their right to vote in the Legislative Assembly General Election 2024,” the official statement from BMC reads.
This move is expected to address the concerns regarding voter apathy, especially in urban areas, as the Election Commission of India has been focused on improving voter turnout in cities like Mumbai. The commission has been actively promoting awareness and making efforts to ensure that eligible voters do not miss out on the election process.
In cases where it is not possible to grant an entire day’s leave, the Election Commission has allowed for a relaxation of at least four hours of leave, provided it is approved in advance by the Election Officer. This flexibility is intended to accommodate businesses or industries that may face operational constraints on polling day. The notification emphasizes that every person engaged in any business, trade, industrial undertaking, or any other establishment within the polling area is entitled to a holiday to vote. The rule applies to all employees, whether they are in the private or public sector, as well as workers in industrial units or trades.
The Election Commission has made it clear that employers who do not comply with this mandate will face strict penalties. Under Section 135 (b) of the Representation of the People Act-1951, employers who do not grant leave to eligible employees will be held accountable and dealt with as per the law. “Violation of these rules or provisions by any employer will be dealt with as per Election Commission rules. According to Section 135(b) of the Representation of the People Act-1951, no action shall be taken against any voter for availing this leave,” the statement adds.
The holiday declaration is part of a broader initiative by the Election Commission to address voter apathy, particularly in urban regions like Mumbai. In the past, Mumbai has witnessed relatively low voter turnout compared to other areas of Maharashtra, and the commission is eager to ensure that every eligible voter steps forward to contribute to the democratic process. With this mandatory leave provision, the hope is that citizens, particularly those working in busy urban sectors, will find it easier to take time off from work and cast their vote without the fear of losing a day’s pay.
The declaration of a public holiday for voters in Mumbai is a significant step towards encouraging higher voter participation in the Maharashtra Assembly elections. With the Election Commission’s efforts, including ensuring the non-deduction of wages and providing leave, the aim is to make the electoral process more accessible to all, ensuring that every vote counts. Voters are urged to utilize this opportunity and participate in the upcoming elections to shape the future of Maharashtra.
