Election Commission officials seal four IT companies in Chennai as they function on polling day

CHENNAI: Election Commission officials sealed the offices of four IT companies in Chennai and sent their employees out on Thursday as the they functioned despite authorities declaring a general holiday for all offices, commercial establishments, IT companies, theatres, hotels and others.

According to reports, more than 3,000 workers in these well-known IT companies reported for duty in the morning and were in the office when EC officials swooped on them and sent them out.

The four companies have been sealed and a first information report has been filed against them.

Following orders from the Election Commission, the chief electoral officer had issued statements asking all establishments to declare a general holiday.

At another IT company in the city, employees were seen leaving the premises through front entrance while many were entering the building through the back entrance, apparently to work. Company officials justified keeping the office open stating that it carries out 24x7 operations and cannot be shutdown.

On Wednesday, the labour commissioner issued a press release ordering all the establishments in the state to close for a day to enable the employees to vote.