Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Nov 28: The Maharashtra Government has announced a paid holiday on December 2, 2025, for employees across various establishments, businesses and workplaces to enable them to vote in elections to municipal councils and nagar panchayats.

As per the Government Resolution (GR) issued on Friday, all employees in districts going to polls on Tuesday are entitled to paid leave to exercise their franchise. Elections to 246 municipal councils and 42 nagar panchayats will be held in the first phase of the long-delayed urban and rural local body polls.

The Industries, Energy and Labour Departments said the decision aims to ensure maximum voter participation, noting that several establishments had previously failed to provide paid leave, preventing many from casting their vote. The GR also invoked provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which mandate paid leave for voters on polling day.

The holiday order applies to all workers, employees and officers who are registered voters in the polling areas, regardless of whether their workplace is inside or outside the constituency. Establishments under the Labour Department — including factories, shops, hotels, commercial establishments, IT companies, malls and retail outlets — are required to comply.

For essential and continuous service sectors where a full-day holiday may not be possible, employers must provide two to three hours of special leave, the GR stated. The government has cautioned that action will be taken against establishments failing to grant paid leave or sufficient time-off if complaints arise.

The GR also listed the municipal councils and nagar panchayats across districts where voting will take place on December 2.

Following this first phase, polls will be held for 336 Panchayat Samitis, 32 Zilla Parishads and 29 municipal corporations, including Mumbai. The State Election Commission is yet to announce the schedule for these elections.