BENGALURU: To facilitate large-scale turnout of voters, the Election Commission of India (ECI) had directed the state government to declare a paid holiday for all employees on polling day, May 10. And the government did. But the big question being asked in the IT sector, fin-tech firms and other private companies is that shouldn't non-voters report for work on polling day and why should they get paid leave?
Clearing the confusion, District Electoral Officer and chief commissioner of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Tushar Giri Nath told STOI May 10 would be like a general holiday for all employees. "Regardless of the fact whether the employees are voters or non-voters, it will be a paid holiday if they are working in Karnataka. However, if any industry or factory is listed under essential services, they can continue to run operations by availing the services of non-voters employed in the company," Giri Nath explained.
"In any establishment, it will be difficult to distinguish between voters and non-voters. Hence, we have declared paid holiday for all employees," he added.
A senior electoral officer from Bengaluru Urban said, "Section 135B of the Representation of the People Act 1951 provides for granting of paid holiday to employees on the day of polling. Every person employed in any business, trade, industrial undertaking or any other establishment and entitled to vote, shall, on the day of polling, be granted a holiday. If any employer contravenes the provisions of the Act, such employer shall be punishable with a fine, which may extend to Rs 500."
Referring to the essential services, the chief commissioner said, "The same provisions are not applicable to any employee whose absence may cause danger or substantial loss in respect of the employment in which he/she is engaged. I am sure there are many employees who are natives of other states and do not have voting rights in Karnataka. Companies with essential services can continue to operate with such workforce and must grant a paid holiday to those who have voting rights here."