Pune: Four-Hour Voting Break For Private Employees, Paid Holiday For Graduate & Teacher Voters On Oct 23

On Friday, October 23, voters in Pune's Graduates and Teachers constituencies will have a paid holiday to cast their ballots in the Maharashtra Legislative Council elections. Earlier, employees of private establishments working in these constituencies were granted a two-hour concession to vote. However, this has been revised to a four-hour concession, up from two hours. The decision was announced in a circular by Election Commission officials on October 16.

Divisional Commissioner and Returning Officer Sheetal Teli-Ugale announced the measures on Sunday, aiming to ensure eligible voters can vote without work-related restrictions. Under Section 135B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, a paid holiday is declared for eligible government employees registered as voters in the respective constituencies. The benefit extends beyond casual leave available to these employees.

However, the paid holiday provision does not apply to private employees. Instead, they will receive a special four-hour concession to travel to their polling stations and cast their votes. The heads of government offices have been directed to maintain smooth administrative work despite the holiday.

Polling for the Pune Division Graduates and Teachers constituencies will take place from 8 am to 4 pm on October 23. The counting of votes is scheduled for October 27. The Graduates constituency covers Pune, Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur, and Solapur districts, while the Teachers constituency covers designated areas of the Pune division.