The Maharashtra Government has officially declared a paid holiday on December 2, 2025, to ensure that all eligible citizens can cast their votes in the upcoming municipal council and nagar panchayat elections.

Paid Leave for All Employees in Polling Areas

According to a new Government Resolution (GR) issued on November 28, 2025, every worker, employee, and officer living in areas where elections will be held is entitled to paid leave on polling day.
This rule applies even if their workplace is located outside the voting constituency, ensuring voters face no barriers in exercising their democratic rights.

Elections Across 246 Municipal Councils & 42 Nagar Panchayats

The first phase of the long-awaited urban and rural local body elections will include voting for:

• 246 Municipal Councils

• 42 Nagar Panchayats (Town Councils)

These elections are spread across multiple districts in Maharashtra, marking a major step toward completing the pending local government polls.

Government Ensures Fair Access to Voting

The Industries, Energy, and Labour Departments stated that the holiday has been announced to make sure that every eligible voter gets a fair chance to participate in the elections.
The government noted that during past elections, some workplaces did not give employees enough time or paid leave, which prevented many people from voting.

The GR also refers to the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which legally requires employers to provide paid leave on voting day.

Mandatory Compliance for All Establishments

All establishments under the Labour Department must follow the directive, including:

• Factories & Industrial Units

• Shops & Commercial Establishments

• Hotels & Restaurants

• IT Companies & BPOs

• Malls & Retail Outlets

Workplaces that offer essential or continuous services must provide 2–3 hours of special leave if a full-day holiday is not possible.

The government added that strict action will be taken against any organisation that refuses to provide paid leave or sufficient time-off.

List of Polling Areas Included in the GR

The GR contains a complete district-wise list of municipal councils and nagar panchayats where voting will take place on December 2, 2025.

More Elections Coming Soon Across Maharashtra

After this phase, the State Election Commission will conduct additional elections for:

• 336 Panchayat Samitis

• 32 Zilla Parishads

• 29 Municipal Corporations, including Mumbai

The official dates for these elections will be announced separately by the State Election Commission.