By Belize Live News Staff: Employers in Toledo East are required to allow employees time off to vote in the upcoming by-election on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, according to Section 29 of the Representation of the People Act.
The Act mandates employers to grant a reasonable period for voting between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on polling day. It states that no deductions from pay or other penalties should be imposed on employees for time taken off to vote.
“Every employer shall, on polling day, allow every voter in their employ a reasonable time during the prescribed period for voting,” the Act states. “No employer shall make any deduction from the pay or other remuneration of any such voter or impose any penalty by reason of their absence during such period.”
Employers who fail to comply, or who interfere with the voting rights of their employees through intimidation or undue influence, face severe penalties. Violators may be fined up to two thousand dollars or face imprisonment for up to one year.
Authorities urge employers to adhere to these regulations to ensure employees can exercise their voting rights without fear of financial penalty or retribution. The public is encouraged to report any violations.
This measure aims to facilitate maximum voter turnout and uphold the integrity of the electoral process.
