Central government offices to remain closed on poll days

NEW DELHI: All central government offices, coming under the area where upcoming Lok Sabha and assembly elections are scheduled to be held, will remain closed on the day of polling.

"The relevant offices or organisations shall remain closed on the day of poll in the notified areas where general elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assembly are scheduled to be conducted," the Ministry of Personnel said in an order.

The nine-phased Lok Sabha polls begin on April 7. Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Sikkim besides by-elections for Assembly seats in some states will be held along with the Lok Sabha polls.

In connection with the bye-elections, the order said only such of the employees who are bonafide voters in the relevant constituency should be granted special casual leave on the day of polling.

"Special casual leave may also be granted to an employee who is ordinarily a resident of constituency and registered as a voter but employed in any central government organisation, industrial establishment located outside the constituency having general or bye-election," said the order issued to all state governments and central government departments.