In a move to boost voter turnout in Mumbai, all employees working within the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) jurisdiction will be granted a paid holiday on November 20, 2024, the day of the Maharashtra Assembly elections. This directive was issued by Brihanmumbai Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, reinforcing the importance of every individual’s right to vote without the fear of financial loss or employer restrictions.
The guidelines state that employers, not employees, will be held accountable for any breaches of this directive. Under Election Commission rules, any establishment found violating this mandate could face legal consequences. As per the BMC’s statement, employees are safeguarded against any form of salary deduction or penalties if they choose to take leave for voting. This ensures all eligible voters, regardless of their place of employment, are able to participate in the democratic process.
According to the Election Commission’s guidelines, every individual working in businesses, trades, industrial settings, or other establishments within the polling area on November 20 must be given a full day’s holiday to cast their vote. This rule covers a wide spectrum of entities, from large industrial groups to smaller corporations and institutions.
For critical sectors, such as emergency services or other essential roles, there is an exception, workers can be given a four-hour voting window, provided their employer receives prior approval from the District Election Officer. This provision, outlined under Section 135(B) of the Representation of the People Act, applies specifically to employees whose absence could threaten public safety or essential operations. This balanced approach aims to ensure voting access while considering public needs.
The goal behind this mandate is to encourage higher voter engagement, especially as previous turnout rates in Mumbai have lagged. The 2019 state elections recorded a turnout of approximately 51.5% in Mumbai, which was lower than the 53% logged in 2014. By supporting paid voting leave, the BMC hopes to see a rise in these numbers, aligning Mumbai’s participation closer to other regions in Maharashtra.
To further drive awareness, the BMC has also been tasked with conducting special programs aimed at educating and motivating citizens to vote.
Voting for all 288 assembly seats across Maharashtra will occur on a single day, November 20, with results scheduled to be declared on November 23. The current term of the Maharashtra assembly ends on November 26, 2024.
