The Lok Sabha General Election 2024 is fast approaching, and the State Election Commission, Gandhinagar, has issued a letter outlining the voting schedule. The second phase of voting in Rajasthan is set for 26th April, 2024, Friday, while the fourth phase of polling in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra is scheduled for 13th May, 2024, Monday. The Lok Sabha General Election 2024 will conclude on 20th May, 2024, Monday.
In light of this, the Commission has ordered that workers who are natives of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra, but residing in Gujarat State for employment, should be granted paid leave to vote.
If the weekly holiday given as per the Gujarat Shops and Establishments Act does not fall on the polling day, it should be substituted to ensure that these workers can exercise their franchise on polling day. No deduction or correction shall be made from the wages of any person granted leave on this basis. If such a person is retained on the grounds that they would not ordinarily receive wages, they should be allowed the wages to which they would have been entitled on that day.
Employers who contravene these provisions will be liable and may be subject to a fine of up to Rs.500. However, the penalty will not apply to any elector whose absence from their place of employment would create an alarming situation or result in extensive loss.
It’s important to note that daily/casual workers are also entitled to leave and wages on polling day as per the provisions of Section-135-B of the Representation of People Act-1951.
The Labor Commissioner of the state has issued a press release advising employers to give leave to working people for voting. The press release states that if the weekly leave given under the Gujarat Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act – 2019 is not on the polling day, then the weekly leave should be changed. Every person working in the organization has to be allowed leave on polling day, and no deduction shall be made from the salary of the laborer/employee. If any owner acts against the provisions of Section-135-B of the Representation of People Act-1951, they shall be liable to fine and punishment.
In conclusion, the State Election Commission, Gandhinagar, is taking significant steps to ensure that every eligible voter can exercise their democratic right to vote in the upcoming Lok Sabha General Election 2024. Employers are urged to support these efforts and comply with the regulations set forth to facilitate a smooth and inclusive election process.
