Ghatsila bypoll: Paid leave declared for all workers  

Jamshedpur: To ensure maximum voter participation in the Ghatsila Assembly By-Election 2025, the District Election Officer, Karn Satyarthi, has issued an important directive granting paid leave to all voters working in both government and private sectors within the Ghatsila Assembly Constituency on the day of polling, November 11, 2025.

The order has been issued in accordance with the instructions of the Election Commission of India and under Section 135(b) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. The provision ensures that every eligible voter is able to exercise their democratic right without facing any employment-related obstacles.

According to the directive, every person employed in any business, profession, industrial undertaking, or any other establishment and entitled to vote in the election shall be granted leave on the polling day. Employers have been instructed not to deduct or reduce wages of such employees for availing leave to vote. Furthermore, if an employee is on a daily wage or contractual basis, they must still be paid their usual wages for the day, even if they do not work on account of the polling holiday.

The order also specifies penalties for non-compliance. Any employer found violating the provisions of Section 135(b) may be liable to a fine of up to five hundred rupees. However, the section provides an exception for electors whose absence from work may cause potential danger or substantial loss in connection with the employment they are engaged in.

Additionally, in light of the polling for the Ghatsila Assembly By-Election 2025, November 11 has been declared a public holiday under Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881. Consequently, all government offices, public establishments, and institutions within the Ghatsila Assembly Constituency will remain closed on the day of polling.

The District Election Officer emphasized that this step aims to uphold the spirit of democratic participation and to facilitate every eligible citizen’s right to vote freely and conveniently. By ensuring paid leave and declaring a public holiday, the administration seeks to remove barriers that might prevent voters from casting their vote.

Citizens have been urged to make full use of this opportunity and contribute to strengthening democracy by turning out in large numbers on November 11. The district administration has appealed to all voters to participate responsibly and uphold the values of a free, fair, and transparent electoral process.