All establishments, businesses and workplaces within the Brihanmumbai limits have been ordered to grant leave to their employees on election day in Maharashtra on November 20. The district election officer and Brihanmumbai Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani warned that any violations of the directive will result in action under the Election Commission’s guidelines.
Aiming to enable all eligible voters in Mumbai Suburban and Mumbai City districts to exercise their voting rights, Gagrani has implemented various initiatives to boost the voter turnout.
“Employers must grant leave to their employees for voting on November 20 in their constituencies and the rule applies to all industrial sectors, corporations, companies and other establishments, ensuring that no wage deductions occur due to this leave,” the statement read.
At least a four-hour leave may be granted with prior approval from the district election officer if a full-day leave is not feasible due to exceptional circumstances. As per section 135(B) of the Representation of the People Act, employees whose absence would endanger the public or their establishment will not be penalised.
Employers have also been directed to follow these guidelines strictly, ensuring all employees are able to exercise their voting rights on election day.
Maharashtra Has 9,70,25,119 Voters
As per the electoral rolls updated on October 30, the state has 9,70,25,119 voters, including 5,00,22,739 men and 4,49,96,279 women. Maharashtra has 6,101 transgender voters, 6.41 lakh divyang (persons with disabilities) and 1.16 lakh service electors, said Maharashtra’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) S Chockalingam.
The Election Commission will set up 1,181 polling stations in high-rises and residential complexes in Mumbai, Thane and Pune to boost the voter turnout, he said. As many as 210 polling stations will be set up in slums. For 1,00,186 polling stations, there are 2,21,600 ballot units, 1,21,886 control units and 1,32,094 VVPATs, the CEO said. There are 142 general observers, 41 police observers and 71 expenditure supervisors.
The counting of votes will take place on November 23.