May 28, 2008

Demand a holiday on Voting Day

It is observed that most of the software firms (private firms) also do not declare a holiday thereby not allowing their employees to use their franchise. This is illegal as per the "Representation of People act 1951" and the companies can be fined. Please take time and demand a holiday or take permission for a little bit of time and go out to vote.

This is one of the main reasons for the middle class voting percentages being so low.

IMP: IT HAS TO BE A PAID HOLIDAY AS PER THE ACT.

I am quoting Sec 135B of the "Representation of People act 1951" for your information. Please take time out and pursue this.


135B. Grant of paid holiday to employees on the day of poll.— (1) Every person employed in any business, trade, industrial Undertaking or any other establishment and entitled to vote at an election to the House of the People or the Legislative Assembly of a State shall, on the day of poll, be granted a holiday.
(2) No deduction or abatement of the wages of any such person shall be made on account of a holiday having been granted in accordance with sub-section (1) and if such person is employed on the basis that he would not ordinarily receive wages for such a day, he shall nonetheless be paid for such day the wages he would have drawn had not a holiday been granted to him on that day.

(3) If an employer contravenes the provisions of sub-section (1) or sub-section (2), then such employer shall be punishable with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees.

(4) This section shall not apply to any elector whose absence may cause danger or substantial loss in respect of the employment in which he is engaged"

The chief election commissioner of Andhra Pradesh is appraised of the situation and he might make an announcement tomorrow.

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