Pune District Collector Orders Leave for Employees to Vote in Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Elections

Pune, 18th November 2024: Dr. Suhas Diwase, the Pune District Collector and District Election Officer, has announced that the Maharashtra State Government has granted ample leave to officers, employees, and workers of all establishments under the Industries, Energy, and Labour Department on polling day, 20th November 2024, to ensure they have the opportunity to vote in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Elections.

According to a circular from the Department of Industries, Energy, and Labour, it has been clarified that workers, officials, and employees who are voters in the polling area should be granted sufficient leave to exercise their right to vote, even if they are working outside their constituencies.

This applies to all establishments, including factories, shops, private company offices, residential hotels, eateries, theaters, industrial undertakings, information technology companies, shopping centres, malls, and retailers, with the applicable discounts continuing to apply.

In exceptional circumstances, if it is not possible to grant a full day off to workers, including officers and employees, polling station workers may be allowed a concession of two to three hours instead of a full day of leave to exercise their right to vote. However, prior permission must be obtained from the concerned Collector and District Election Officer. In any case, the concerned institutions must ensure that voters receive at least two to three hours of ample concession for voting.

Under Section 135 (b) of the Representation of the People Act of 1951, voters are generally granted ample leave or concessions during working hours on polling days to enable them to exercise their right to vote. However, it has been observed that some establishments and organizations are not providing sufficient leave or concessions. As a result, this order has been issued, and it has been clarified that appropriate action will be taken against establishments if complaints are received regarding voters being unable to cast their votes due to the failure to grant leave or concessions.