Maharashtra polls: Paid leave for employees in Mumbai on November 20

NEW DELHI: Mumbai district election officer and Municipal commissioner Bhushan Gagrani has mandated that all workplaces within Brihanmumbai limits must provide leave to employees for voting in the Maharashtra assembly polls on November 20.

Failure to comply will invite action under Election Commission guidelines, according to a release issued on Wednesday.

To boost voter turnout across Mumbai Suburban and Mumbai City districts, Gagrani has implemented various initiatives, including this directive ensuring employees can vote without facing wage deductions.

While all establishments—corporate, industrial, and otherwise—are expected to follow the rule, in cases where granting a full-day leave is impractical, a minimum four-hour leave may be granted with prior approval from the district election officer.

Under Section 135(B) of the Representation of the People Act, exceptions apply for employees whose absence could endanger public safety or the establishment’s operations.