The State Election Commission (SEC) on April 4 filed a petition seeking declaration of holiday for the State Government employees on the day of the municipal elections 2013. April 8, the day for the municipal election has not been declared as holiday by the State Government. The matter will come up for hearing Friday.
Confirming the move Sumit Gadodia, lawyer representing SEC said, “A petition has been filed under Section 575 of Jharkhand Municipal Act and Article 24 against the State Government.”
Section 575 of Jharkhand Municipal Act 2011 mentions, “Every person employed in any business, trade, industrial undertaking or any other establishment and entitled to vote at an election to the municipalities of the State shall, on the day of poll, be granted a holiday.”
Gadodia reasoned that considering the overall security scenario, Election Day not being a holiday would create serious law and order problem across the State. He also maintained that tracking suspicious movements during elections will become difficult as so many people will be moving at the same time.
Due to restricted movements of vehicles on the day of election employees as well as administration will face a lot of problems added Gadodia.
Significantly, State Election Commissioner, S.D.Sharma said, “It is a question of exercising franchise,” and that people will face difficulty in casting their votes on a working day.
Sharma refused to comment further as the matter has gone to the court.