Noida: Schools, colleges to remain closed on Election Day
What's the story
The Gautam Buddh Nagar district, encompassing Noida and Greater Noida, is preparing for the Lok Sabha elections scheduled this Friday.
District Magistrate Manish Kumar Verma announced that all educational institutions will be closed on election day, with normal operations resuming on Saturday.
"All educational institutions will remain shut on Friday but will open on Saturday," Verma said in a statement.
Voting rights
Factories and industries have also been directed to grant leave
In addition to educational institutions, factories and industries have been directed to grant paid leave to their employees on Friday.
This is being done to ensure that every worker has the opportunity to exercise their voting rights.
"Factories and industries have also been directed to give paid holiday to workers on Friday so that they may go cast their votes," Verma explained.
Civic engagement
District administration urging local organizations to motivate residents to vote
The district administration is urging local community organizations and housing associations to motivate residents to vote.
According to reports, the initiative was taking after receiving feedback from workers who missed voting due to work obligations in the past.
Verma added, "We will also hand out commendation certificates to RWAs and AOAs where the voter turnout shows improvement this time."
Election phase
26.75 million voters to exercise franchise
Gautam Buddh Nagar is one of 89 constituencies participating in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections on April 26.
The district has a voting population of nearly 26.75 million people.
Historically, it has seen low voter turnouts with 60.47% in the 2019 Lok Sabha election, 60.38% in 2014, and a mere 48% in 2009.