HP declares paid holidays on May 26, 28 and 30 for Panchayati Raj polls

The Government of Himachal Pradesh has declared paid public holidays on May 26, 28 and 30 in Himachal Pradesh for the three phases of elections to Panchayati Raj Institutions Elections.

According to a notification issued by the state’s General Administration Department, all government offices, boards, corporations, educational institutions and industrial establishments in the state will remain closed on the respective polling days. The holiday will also apply to shops and commercial establishments located in the concerned areas.

The notification states that the holidays will be treated as paid leave, including for daily wage employees, in accordance with the provisions of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881.

However, the election programme will not apply to certain gram panchayats in the Naggar and Ani blocks of Kullu district, the notification said.

It also clarified that employees working outside their place of voting may be granted special casual leave to cast their vote, subject to producing a certificate from the presiding officer confirming that the vote has been cast.