The Election Commission has announced that no spirituous, fermented or intoxicating liquor or other substances of like nature shall be sold within a polling area during the period of forty-eight hours ending with the hour fixed for the conclusion of the poll for any election in the polling area.

It said no liquor can be sold, given or distributed at a hotel, eating house, tavern, shop or any other place, be it public or private. The Commission also directed that the counting day on 4th May is also declared a ‘Dry Day’ under the relevant laws in poll-going States and UTs.

It said that storage of liquor by individuals will be restricted during the above period, and the restrictions provided in the Excise Act on storage of liquor in unlicensed premises will be strictly enforced.