The seven-phase Lok Sabha election will conclude on Saturday, with polling set to take place in 57 parliamentary constituencies across seven states and the Union territory of Chandigarh. Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is contesting from the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh, a constituency he has represented for two terms.
In light of the final round of polling, several states have declared dry days, during which liquor shops will remain closed. These measures aim to maintain order and prevent any election-related disruptions.
West Bengal
- Affected Areas: Bars in Kolkata and its neighboring areas such as Howrah, Dum Dum, and Barasat.
- Dry Period: From 6 PM on Thursday until 6 PM on Saturday.
- Restrictions: Both physical and online sales of alcohol will be prohibited.
Karnataka
- Affected Area: Bengaluru.
- Dry Period: From June 1 to June 6.
- Reason: The state legislative council elections on June 3 and the counting of votes for the Lok Sabha polls on June 4.
- Restrictions: All wine shops, bars, and pubs will be closed for almost a week. Pubs and bars can serve non-alcoholic beverages and food.
Maharashtra
- Affected Area: Mumbai.
- Dry Period: Until the declaration of election results on June 4.
- Ruling: The Bombay High Court has mandated the dry day, which will be lifted once the election results are announced.
These measures are part of the broader effort to ensure that the final phase of the elections proceeds smoothly and without incident. The dry days are intended to minimize disruptions and ensure that the electoral process is conducted in an orderly manner.
