EC issues leave guidelines for 2024 General Election

The  Election Commission (EC) has issued guidelines for employers and employees regarding leave for the 2024 General Election.

According to these guidelines, public and private sector employees should submit a written request for leave.

Employers are encouraged to grant this leave, treating it as special paid leave. The leave should cover a minimum of four hours or more, depending on the travel distance needed.

The EC’s guidelines outline specific leave durations based on the distance between an employee’s workplace and their polling station.

If the travel distance is 40 kilometers or less, employees are to be granted a minimum of half a day off. For distances between 40 and 100 kilometers, a full day’s leave is recommended.

Employees traveling between 100 and 150 kilometers should receive one and a half days, while those with distances exceeding 150 kilometers are to be granted up to two days.

The Election Commission warns that failure to comply with these regulations could result, upon conviction, in a fine of up to Rs. 200,000 or imprisonment for up to two months.

 Full statement issued by the EC below: