Mumbai, India – In a move aimed at boosting voter turnout for the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections, the Mumbai District Election Officer has announced that all workplaces in Mumbai must give employees paid time off to cast their votes on November 20. This mandate, issued by District Election Officer and Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, applies to all establishments within the Brihanmumbai municipal limits, including corporate, industrial, and other sectors.

To ensure compliance, the election office has specified that companies failing to grant leave or withholding pay for the voting day may face legal action under the Election Commission’s guidelines. While most employees are eligible for a full day’s leave, businesses, where a full-day leave could disrupt critical operations, can instead grant a minimum of four hours, provided they secure prior approval from the district election officer.

This directive is part of a broader effort to increase voter participation across Mumbai’s suburban and city districts. Certain exceptions apply under Section 135(B) of the Representation of the People Act, primarily for employees whose roles are vital for public safety or essential operations.

This initiative is one of several implemented by the election office to make voting more accessible and encourage greater public involvement in the democratic process.