A notification detailing the right to leave for workers in the public and private sectors during the September 21, 2024, presidential election has been released by the Election Commission.
Nonetheless, the electoral oversight organisation declared that the applicable leave policies will enable voters to cast their ballots at the polls without incurring any financial loss or affecting their personal leave balances.
The guidelines state that depending on how far their workplace is from the designated polling place, employees are entitled to the following leaves of absence:
“How employees in the public and private sectors can obtain paid time off to vote in the presidential election ”
– Half a day’s leave for distances of 40 km or less
– 01day’s leave for distances between 40-100 km
– One and a half days’ leave for distances between 100-150 km
– 02days’ leave for distances exceeding 150 km
The Election Commission has also observed that employers have been advised to grant a three-day leave in situations where voters may need three days to travel to and from their polling places.
The Commission also underlined that workers must submit a written request when requesting time off.
Additionally, it has advised that employers must keep a record of all employees who request special leave, including the length of the leave granted, and make sure that this information is conspicuously displayed in the workplace to promote transparency.
