Jharkhand News : The Jharkhand government has declared a holiday on February 23 in connection with the municipal body elections. As per the official notification, all shops and establishments located within the concerned municipal areas will remain closed on polling day, and employees will be entitled to paid leave.
The notification was issued on Friday by the Department of Personnel, Administrative Reforms and Rajbhasha. It clearly states that voters residing in a municipal area but working outside that area—whether in industrial units, offices, shops, or establishments—must also be granted paid leave by their employers to enable them to vote.
Paid leave for daily wage and casual workers
The order further clarifies that casual workers and daily wage earners who are registered voters of the concerned municipal area, but are employed outside the election zone, will also be eligible for paid leave on polling day. The aim is to ensure maximum voter participation in the civic polls.
Notably, February 23 has been fixed as the polling date for the municipal elections across the state.
BJP demands deployment of central forces
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has demanded the deployment of central armed police forces during the municipal elections. A high-level BJP delegation led by Aditya Sahu, state BJP president and MP, met the Election Commissioner on Friday and submitted a memorandum.
The delegation included former state BJP president Ravindra Kumar Ray, state vice president Aarti Kujur, co–media in-charge Ashok Badaik, legal cell convenor Sudhir Srivastava, and Chandraprakash.
Addressing a press conference later at the party’s state office, Aditya Sahu alleged that law and order in Jharkhand has deteriorated and criminals are operating freely. He asserted that to ensure free and fair municipal elections, the deployment of central security forces is essential.
