UP declares public holiday on 19 October for Maha Navami; special leave granted for MLC polls on 23 October

New Delhi: The Uttar Pradesh government has declared a public holiday across the state on 19 October to mark Maha Navami. Following directions from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, an official order confirmed that all government offices, schools, colleges, and other state-run establishments will remain closed on the day.

The decision aims to give people time off to take part in religious observances and celebrate the festival without work constraints. Maha Navami is one of the most widely observed occasions in the state, marked by Durga Puja rituals, traditional ceremonies, and community gatherings. With the holiday officially notified, preparations for the festivities have picked up pace across towns and cities.

Authorities noted that the day off will help families observe the festive day smoothly. Local administrations have also been instructed to maintain public order and support community events across districts so celebrations run without disruption.

Special leave for voters in upcoming MLC elections

Alongside the festival holiday, the state government has announced specific arrangements to support the democratic process. Biennial elections to the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council for graduates and teachers constituencies are set to take place on 23 October across 11 constituencies, and eligible employees will get special paid leave to cast their votes.

According to the Chief Electoral Officer, this concession applies strictly to employees who are registered voters in the respective graduate or teacher seats. The move ensures eligible staff can head to polling booths and exercise their franchise without administrative hurdles or workplace pressure.

List of constituencies heading to polls

Voting on 23 October will cover five graduates constituencies: Lucknow, Varanasi, Agra, Meerut, and Allahabad-Jhansi.

Simultaneously, six teachers constituencies- Lucknow, Varanasi, Agra, Meerut, Bareilly-Moradabad, and Gorakhpur-Faizabad will also go to the polls. The state government stated that balanced measures have been rolled out to give due weight to both cultural traditions and civic responsibilities, allowing citizens to observe the festival and participate in the elections with ease.