Paid leave for employees in Mumbai on Nov 20 to increase voter turnout

The Mumbai district election officer has said all establishments businesses and other workplaces within the Brihanmumbai limits are mandated to grant leave to their employees for voting in the Maharashtra assembly elections 2024 on November 20 reported news agency PTIViolations to this directive by employers will result in action under the Election Commissions guidelines district election officer and Brihanmumbai Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani said in a release issued on WednesdayAiming to enable all eligible voters in Mumbai Suburban and Mumbai City districts to exercise their voting rights Gagrani has implemented various initiatives to boost the voter turnout reported PTIThe release said employers must grant leave to their employees for voting on November 20 in their constituencies and the rule applies to all industrial sectors corporations companies and other establishments ensuring that no wage deductions occur due to this leave reported PTIIn cases where a fullday leave is not feasible due to exceptional circumstances at least a fourhour leave may be granted with prior approval from the district election officer it saidAs per section 135B of the Representation of the People Act employees whose absence would endanger the public or their establishment will not be penalised reported PTIEmployers are directed to follow these guidelines strictly ensuring all employees are able to exercise their voting rights on the election day the release saidEC updates Maharashtra voter listMaharashtra has more than 97 crore voters of which 2222704 are in the age group of 1819 years an Election Commission EC official said on Tuesday citing updated electoral rolls ahead of the Maharashtra assembly elections 2024As per the electoral rolls updated on October 30 the state has 97025119 voters including 50022739 men and 44996279 women The state has 6101 transgender voters 641 lakh divyang persons with disabilities and 116 lakh service electors said Maharashtras Chief Electoral Officer CEO S ChockalingamHe said there are 2222704 voters in the age group of 1819 yearsAccording to figures provided by the poll body there are 4140 candidates in the fray for the total 288 assembly seats for which voting will take place on November 20The Shahada seat in Nandurbar district has only three candidates the lowest while Nanded North has 33 contestants the highestChockalingam said in order to boost voter turnout the poll body will set up 1181 polling stations in highrises and residential complexes in Mumbai Thane and PuneSimilarly 210 polling stations will be established in slums the CEO saidThere are enough EVMs in the state For 100186 polling stations there are 221600 ballot units 121886 control units and 132094 VVPATs he informedThe CEO said for the states 288 assembly seats there are 142 general observers 41 police observers and 71 expenditure supervisorsCounting of votes will take place on November 23With inputs from PTI