Hyderabad, Apr 25:
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a communication stipulating that every individual employed in any business, trade, industrial undertaking, or establishment, eligible to vote in elections to the House of the People or the Legislative Assembly of a State, shall be granted a paid holiday under Section 135 B of the Representation of People Act.
Employers found in violation will face punishment. Additionally, daily wage and casual workers are entitled to both a holiday and wages on polling days, a statement here said on Wednesday.
The Commission has instructed that suitable directives be disseminated for each phase of elections, as outlined in the Commission’s notification for the respective state or union territory.
This decision has been made pursuant to Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, in conjunction with the notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Furthermore, District Collectors and District Election Officers have been empowered to declare paid holidays similarly for offices and institutions where polling stations and counting centers are situated, on the day preceding the polling day and on the day fixed for counting (June 4)
