Maharashtra Govt Announces Paid Holiday on December 2 for Civic and Nagar Panchayat Polls
Mumbai, November 30, 2025: The Maharashtra government has declared a paid holiday on December 2 to help voters take part in the upcoming municipal council and nagar panchayat elections. A government resolution issued on November 28 confirmed that all employees working in districts going to polls are entitled to paid leave to cast their vote.
The first phase of the civic elections will cover 246 municipal councils and 42 nagar panchayats across the state. This is part of the long-delayed schedule for urban and rural local body polls.
Officials from the Industries, Energy and Labour Departments said the decision aims to ensure every eligible voter gets the chance to vote. They pointed out that in previous elections, some establishments did not allow paid leave or time-off, which kept many people from exercising their voting rights. The directive also refers to provisions under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which mandate paid leave for voters on polling day.
The holiday applies to all workers, officers and employees who are voters in the polling areas, even if their workplace is located outside the constituency. Establishments covered under the Labour Department, including factories, shops, hotels, commercial businesses, malls, IT firms and retail outlets, must follow the rule.
For essential and continuous services where a full-day holiday is not possible, employers must provide two to three hours of special leave for voting. The government has also warned that action will be taken if any workplace fails to grant paid leave or sufficient time for voting.
Where Will the Holiday be Applicable?
The government resolution includes a detailed list of all municipal councils and nagar panchayats scheduled for polling on December 2. Following this phase, elections will also be held for 336 Panchayat Samitis, 32 Zilla Parishads and 29 municipal corporations, including Mumbai. The State Election Commission will announce the dates for these next phases soon.
Click here to read the full Government Resolution in this regard.
