KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 7): The Human Resources Ministry has reminded employers to grant voters in Balakong and Seri Setia sufficient time to exercise their right to vote in the by-elections there.

"As the by-election falls on a Saturday, whereby some voters may be working on that day, employers are advised to facilitate the relevant employees to discharge their obligation as voters," the ministry said in a statement today.

In reminding the employers, the ministry said employees who are also valid voters in the constituencies must be granted a reasonable period to cast their ballot, as this is allowed under Section 25(1) of the Election Offences Act 1954.

It said employers could provide time off to the affected employees, or give paid leave in the case of workers who needed longer time to travel to the voting station.

"Employees requiring more than one day to go to their voting station should be allowed to utilise their annual leave," the ministry said.

The ministry stressed that employers are not allowed to impose any form of penalties or deduct the salary of the affected workers, who are registered as a valid voters in the constituency.