District Election Officer Orders Paid Holiday on May 25 to Ensure Maximum Voter Turnout

Strict Compliance Measures Implemented to Facilitate Participation in Lok Sabha Elections

In a significant move to encourage maximum voter participation in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, District Election Officer Ananya Mittal has issued a directive mandating a paid holiday for all employees on the polling day, May 25th, 2024. This order, in line with the Election Commission of India’s guidelines, aims to ensure that every eligible voter in the East Singhbhum district has the opportunity to exercise their democratic right without any employment-related constraints.

JAMSHEDPUR – With the Lok Sabha elections just around the corner, the District Election Office in Jamshedpur has taken a proactive step to facilitate maximum voter turnout by granting a paid holiday to all employees on the day of voting.

District Election Officer Ananya Mittal’s directive, which aligns with the instructions of the Election Commission of India, underscores the commitment to upholding democratic participation and ensuring that every eligible voter can cast their ballot without any hindrance.

To further enhance accessibility and encourage voter participation, the East Singhbhum District administration has announced that voters who do not possess a Voter ID Card can still exercise their democratic right by presenting one of the 12 alternative photo identity documents at the polling booth, including Aadhar Card, MNREGA Job Card, Passbooks with photographs issued by banks/post offices, and various government-issued identity cards.

The paid holiday applies to all employees in the East Singhbhum district, encompassing government offices, non-government offices, private enterprises, institutions, and businesses, with no deductions or reductions in salaries or wages due to this leave.

Under Section 135(b) of the Public Representation Act 1951, the directive ensures that every person employed in any business, profession, industrial undertaking, mall, or other establishment, who is entitled to vote, will be granted leave on the polling day, including daily wage workers and casual workers who will receive their wages despite the holiday.

The Jamshedpur Lok Sabha constituency comprises six Vidhan Sabha (legislative assembly) segments: Baharagora, Ghatshila, Potka, Jugsalai, Jamshedpur East, and Jamshedpur West, with voters in these segments set to head to the polls on May 25th to participate in the Lok Sabha elections.

To ensure strict compliance with the directive, specific instructions have been issued, mandating the closure of all institutions, shops, including those operating on shifts such as malls, on May 25, 2024, with the only exception being employees whose absence might cause danger or significant public loss due to the nature of their work.

The District Election Officer has tasked the Deputy Labor Commissioner, Deputy Chief Factory Inspector, Assistant Deputy Labor Commissioner, Assistant Director of the Employment Office, and all Labor Superintendents with monitoring compliance in their respective areas, ensuring that the order is followed in both letter and spirit, with any violations being punishable under relevant legal sections.

This initiative highlights the District Election Office’s commitment to facilitating every voter’s right to cast their ballot without any employment-related hindrances, underlining the importance of democratic participation in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.