Rajasthan general election 2023: Are banks, government offices closed on Saturday?

General elections will be held in the state of Rajasthan on Saturday, November 25, 2023. Due to the elections, the government of Rajasthan has declared a holiday. According to the October 16, 2023 notification issued by the state government, the date of the election has been declared a public holiday.

Further, banks in Rajasthan will also be closed. The Reserve Bank of India has updated its state-wise bank holiday schedule to reflect the same. Banks would have been closed even if the elections were not held on November 25 as it is the fourth Saturday of the month.

Banks, schools, government and public offices will be closed in all the constituencies in Rajasthan where voting is happening. Voting will begin at 7 a.m. on Saturday, November 25 and will at 6 p.m.

Haryana government also declares paid holiday for General Election Day in Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, 2023.

The Haryana Government has notified that November 25, the day of Poll for General Election to Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, 2023 shall be observed as Paid holiday in all offices, educational and other institutes of the Government of Haryana, Board & Corporations.

According to the Directorate of Information Public Relations and Languages (Govt of Haryana) website, “As per a notification issued by Chief Secretary Mr. Sanjeev Kaushal, employees of various factories, shops, and private establishments situated in Haryana, and registered as voters in the State of Rajasthan, are also entitled to a paid holiday under Section 135-B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (amended in 1996) for the same purpose.” Schedule for General Elections to the Legislative Assemblies:

According to the Office Memorandum dated October 23, 2023, “Section 135B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 provides for grant of paid holiday on the day of poll to the employees who are entitled to vote at the election concerned. In this connection, the Department of Personnel and Training has standing guidelines issued vide OM No. 12/14/99-JCA dated 10.10.2001 regarding closure of Government Offices and grant of paid holiday during election. A copy of these guidelines is enclosed. It is directed that these guidelines may be complied with and necessary action taken accordingly.”