IT Cos. Told to Close on Polling Day

Hyderabad: Against the backdrop of some multinational companies in the IT/ITES sectors stating that they would need to stay open on Election Day on November 30, the authorities said that it was mandatory for all firms to down shutters to allow their employees to go out and vote.

Hyderabad collector Anudeep Durishetty, the deputy district electoral officer, said that all educational institutions would remain closed on November 29 and 30 and business establishments must declare a holiday for employees to cast their vote on November 30.

Meanwhile, city police commissioner Sandeep Shandilya, while briefing the media, said the the police were prepared to face any kind of challenge and working 24/7 till the completion of elections. “The next 72 hours  are the most crucial,” Shandilya said.

He noted that the election meetings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah, Union ministers and Chief Ministers of several states had gone off without incident. “The credit goes to our police officials who 24/7 worked to ensure VIP security,” Shandilya said.

He said that 666 of the 4,915 polling stations in the city had been classified as critical, where extra security personnel would be posted. He said that voters should disperse after voting, and those gathering nearing the polling stations would be taken into custody.

Meanwhile, the Telangana Chief Electoral Office r directed the labour commissioner to take stringent action against private companies, including IT/ITeS firms, who are not granting leaves to employees on November 30.