Karnataka Dy CM DK Shivakumar urges paid leave for out-of-state voters, highlights migrant voting rights

In a move drawing attention to the voting rights of inter-state migrant workers, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has urged businesses across the state to grant paid leave to employees from Bihar so they can travel home and participate in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections on November 6 and 11, 2025.

This initiative is also expected to help increase voter turnout, a goal that the Election Commission of India (ECI) consistently pursues to strengthen democratic participation.

In a letter to employers, Shivakumar emphasised that thousands of workers from Bihar are employed in Bengaluru and other industrial hubs of Karnataka. He appealed to companies, contractors, hotels, builders, and shop owners to give at least three days of paid leave to facilitate their return to vote, describing it as a measure that upholds democratic participation.

Observers view this appeal as a rare instance of a state leader publicly encouraging firms to support out-of-state voters, raising a wider discussion about labour mobility, electoral inclusion, and civic responsibility. While there is no legal obligation for employers to provide paid leave for elections outside their state, Shivakumar’s proposal has sparked interest in whether such voluntary support could become a model for inclusive democratic practice.

During a recent interaction with members of the Bihar Association in Bengaluru, Shivakumar also announced plans to allocate land for the association, recognising the contribution of Bihari workers to the city’s growth. He recalled Karnataka’s efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic to arrange transport for migrant workers returning home.

Political analysts note that the appeal goes beyond electoral politics, highlighting a policy gap—India lacks a framework to help internal migrants vote easily in their home constituencies. The Election Commission of India has in recent years explored remote voting systems for such citizens, but nationwide implementation is still pending.

The Bihar Assembly elections will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11, and vote counting will take place on November 14.