School bus operations in Maharashtra will be suspended on November 19 and 20 due to the upcoming state assembly elections. This was announced by the School Bus Owners Association of Maharashtra (SBOA) after Regional Transport Offices (RTO) released directives requiring school and tourist buses for election-related duties across Mumbai and nearby areas.
The RTO has ordered that buses used for schools and tourism should be used to support travelling for the election. This directive is a part of preparations to make polling smooth.
They may disrupt daily routines for many students, causing challenges for parents who rely on school buses. The SBOA released a statement asking parents, students, and the public to understand the temporary changes. They said that these measures are necessary to support the election process.
Similarly, schools in the region will also be used as polling stations. There will be a shortage of teaching staff available for regular classroom duties. Many teachers have been assigned to manage polling booths, which limits available staff to conduct normal classes.
Employers in the region are also reminded of their obligations under Section 135(B) of the Representation of the People Act, which protects the voting rights of employees. Employers must allow employees sufficient time to vote and cannot penalise absences that could jeopardise safety or operations.
Bhushan Gagrani, the district election officer, made it clear that any employer failing to comply with this rule would be held accountable by Election Commission standards. Employees are entitled to at least four hours off to vote, if not a full day, depending on workplace requirements.
The Maharashtra assembly election will take place in a single phase on November 20. The results will be announced on November 23.
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