EC issues directives to employers on granting leave for Presidential election

Colombo, September 5 (Daily Mirror)-  The Elections Commission has requested all employers to grant leave to both public and private sector employees to cast their vote at the Presidential election 2024.

The Commission said special paid leave has been approved to public sector employees in the Establishments Code.

The Commission said even though there are no written laws for granting leave to private sector employees, they too should be given approriate leave to exercie their votes.

Accordingly, half a day's leave should be granted if the distance to the employee's work place from the polling station is less than 40 kilometres, while a day's leave should be given if the distance is between 40 and 100 kilometres.

If the distance to work place from the polling station to the work place is between 100 and 150 kilometres, one and half days' leave should be granted and if the distance is more than 150 kilometres, two days' leave should be granted.

According to the Elections Commission, employees entitled to vote should make a written request for leave and the employer should grant leave for a period sufficient to exercise the worker’s franchise and a notice of employees who have been granted such leave and the duration of leave should be conspicuously exhibited at the place of employment.