Maharashtra Elections 2024: School Bus Services Suspended Across the State on November 19 and 20 Due to Polling Arrangements
School bus services will be temporarily suspended on November 19 and 20 to meet the state’s transport needs during the upcoming assembly elections in Maharashtra. This announcement has been made by the Maharashtra School Bus Owners Association (SBOA). Regular school bus services will be temporarily suspended as Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) have requisitioned school and tourist buses to assist in transporting election staff and material.
Impact on Schools and Students
The two-day service suspension will impact students and parents across Maharashtra. The SBOA has requested families to make alternate transport arrangements for November 19 as buses will not be available on that day. November 20 has been declared a state holiday for polling, due to which most schools will remain closed, so this service suspension will mainly impact students on November 19. Many schools across the state will be used as polling stations. Also, many teachers have been assigned to election duties, which may lead to staff shortages and affect regular school schedules.
Public Cooperation Requested
The SBOA has issued a statement appealing for cooperation and understanding from the public, stressing the important role of these arrangements in ensuring smooth conduct of the election process. The association has requested parents to cooperate in this temporary disruption.
Leave for Employees to Vote
To ensure maximum participation in voting, the Mumbai District Election Officer has directed all businesses in the city limits to grant leave to employees on November 20. Employers have been advised not to make salary cuts for the day. The directive covers various sectors such as industries, companies and organisations so that all employees can vote. Employees for whom it is not possible to take a full day off are allowed to take a leave of at least four hours, subject to prior approval.
Strict Guidelines for Compliance
Under Section 135(B) of the Representation of the People Act, employees whose absence may affect public safety or essential operations are exempted from this mandatory leave policy. All employers have been advised to strictly follow the guidelines of the Election Commission so that all eligible employees get an opportunity to vote.
A Brief Description of Maharashtra Assembly Elections
The Maharashtra Assembly elections will be held in a single phase on November 20, and the results will be declared on November 23. In the 2019 election, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 105 seats, the Shiv Sena won 56 seats, and the Congress got 44 seats. This year’s election is also likely to be a close contest, with all major parties seeking to increase their influence in the Assembly.
During the preparations for these crucial elections in Maharashtra, the cooperation of the public in following the instructions regarding temporary suspension of school bus services and holidays for voting will play a vital role in making the election process successful and efficient.
