Dry Days declared by Assam Govt ahead of Lok Sabha Polls

April 4: The festival of democracy is here and so are dry days. We all know that wine shops are closed during days when a city goes to poll and the reason behind this is so that political parties can’t bribe people with alcohol to vote in their favour. As per excise rules, the 48 hours before the end of polling in each state are declared “dry”. In addition, the counting day (23 May, 2019; Thursday) will be a dry day across the country.

The Assam Government has prohibited possession of any intoxicants and total ban on the sale of liquor, distribution of spirituous, fermented or intoxicating liquors during the three phases of the ensuing Lok Sabha elections 2019 invoking Rule 326 (a) of Assam Excise Rules 2016 and Under Section 135C of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 of Election Rules.

An action shall also be initiated in the Districts of Assam bordering with neighbouring states where Elections are to be held. All Bonded Warehouses, IMFL Retail Shops including Club, Hotel and Country Spirit Shops will remain closed during the Dry Days. Any violation of the order shall be dealt with under the relevant provision of Assam Excise Act and Rules to respective Constituencies.

As per the declaration, dry day would be in force in the constituencies where elections would be held on April 11, 18 and 23, an official release said Thursday. For the first phase of Elections to be held in April 11, 2019,  dry days have been announced from 9 April  (5 pm) to 11 April  (5 pm) including the day of the counting of votes fixed on 23 May 2019 which is also declared as Dry Day till the process of Counting is over.

In a similar manner, for the 2nd phase of the Lok Sabha to the Parliamentary Constituencies of Assam of 1 Karimganj (SC), 2 Silchar, 3 Autonomous District (ST), 8 Mangaldoi and 10 Nagaon which will take place on 18 April 2019, dry days have been announced from 5 pm of 16 April to 5 pm of 18 April.

For the 3rd phase of General Election on 23 April, 2019. dry days have been declared from 21 April to 23 April (5 pm to 5 pm). The release further stated that steps will also be taken to prohibit sale of liquor in areas adjoining constituencies concerned to prevent movement of liquor from those areas.