Municipal Elections 2026: Paid Leave Rules for Employers
Let me say it straight: if your HR team still thinks voting leave is optional, they’re playing with fire.
The Maharashtra Government, through its Industries,
Energy and Labour Department, issued a Government Circular dated 30
December 2025 mandating paid leave for eligible employees on 15
January 2026, the day of the Municipal Corporation elections.
This isn’t a polite suggestion. It’s a legal directive.
“Complaints regarding denial of voting leave will attract
appropriate action against the concerned establishment.” — Maharashtra
Government Circular, 30 Dec 2025.
Here’s what employers need to know:
Who Gets Paid Leave
- All
registered voters working in establishments under the Department’s
jurisdiction.
- Even
if the employee works outside the polling area, they’re entitled to
leave if they’re a voter in the election zone.
Who Must Comply
The circular applies to:
- Private
companies
- Factories
and shops
- IT
and IT-enabled services
- Hotels,
eateries, malls, theatres
- Retailers
and commercial undertakings
Yes, even your startup in a coworking space.
What If Full-Day
Leave Isn’t Feasible?
In exceptional cases (public service, safety-sensitive
roles), employers must grant 2–3 hours of special concession to allow
voting.
“Where granting a full day’s leave is not feasible…
employers must ensure 2–3 hours’ concession to enable voting.” — Government
Circular, 30 Dec 2025
Inline Reference
In the uploaded document “BMC Election GR.pdf,” the
government clearly cautions that failure to comply will invite action.
Employer Action Points
- Update
HR policies to reflect mandatory voting leave.
- Inform
employees in advance about their entitlement.
- Document
leave granted to avoid future disputes.
- Avoid
vague excuses—the circular doesn’t leave room for interpretation.
This isn’t just about compliance. It’s about respecting
democracy.
References
- Section
135B, Representation of the People Act, 1951 – India Code
- Government
Circular dated 30 December 2025 – Industries, Energy and Labour
Department, Maharashtra
- State
Election Commission Letters dated 15 Dec and 26 Dec 2025 – Maharashtra
- Uploaded
Document: BMC Election GR.pdf (official government circular)
Disclaimer
The content provided in this blog post is for general
informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice, opinion, or
recommendation. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy as of the
date of publication, laws and regulations may change, and interpretations may
vary. Readers are advised to consult qualified legal professionals or official
government sources before making decisions based on this content. The author
and publisher disclaim all liability for any loss, damage, or inconvenience
caused as a result of reliance on this information. No warranties, express or
implied, are made regarding the completeness, reliability, or suitability of
the content. This blog post does not create any client attorney relationship.
References to legal provisions are based on publicly available draft rules and
notifications and may be subject to revision. This content is intended for
informational use only and is not targeted to any specific jurisdiction outside
India. Any disputes arising from the use of this content shall be subject to
the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in Maharashtra, India.
