The Election Commission of India today announced dry days in poll-bound states, including West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. Accoding to the commission, liquor sales will be prohibited 48 hours before polling and on the counting day to ensure a free and fair electoral process.

West Bengal Dry Day Dates & Phases

The West Bengal Assembly elections will be conducted in two phases for 294 seats. In Phase 1, polling will be held in 152 constituencies of 16 districts on April 23. In these districts, the dry days will thus be implemented from April 21 to April 23 (till 6 pm).

In phase 2, polling will be held in 142 constituencies of West Bengal in seven districts. In these ares, there will be a ban on liquor from April 27 to April 29 (till 6 pm).

Note that even the counting Day, May 4 (statewide), is a dry day and hence no liquor sale is permitted.

District-Wise Dry Day Details

Phase 1 (16 districts, 152 constituencies):
Districts where voting will be held in Phase 1 include: Cooch Behar, Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong, Darjeeling, Uttar Dinajpur, Dakshin Dinajpur, Malda, Murshidabad, Birbhum, Paschim Bardhaman, Bankura, Purulia, Paschim Medinipur, Purba Medinipur, and Jhargram.

Phase 2 (7 districts, 142 constituencies):
Districts where voting will be held in second phase include: North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hooghly, Kolkata, Nadia, and Purba Bardhaman.

What Does ‘Dry Day’ Mean?

The provisions for liquor ban during elections are mentioned in the Section 135C of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 according to which "no spirituous, fermented or intoxicating liquor or other substances of like nature shall be sold, given or distributed at a hotel, eating house, tavern, shop or any other place, public or private, within a polling area during the period of forty-eight hours ending with the hour fixed for the conclusion of poll for any election in the polling area."

Hence during dry day:

• Sale of liquor is strictly prohibited
• Bars, restaurants, hotels, and clubs cannot serve alcohol
• Even licensed establishments must remain compliant
• Storage of liquor by individuals may be restricted under excise laws

Authorities will enforce strict compliance, and violations can attract penalties.

Tamil Nadu Dry Day Rule

Similar restrictions will be enforced in Tamil Nadu, starting 48 hours before polling on April 23, including any re-poll dates if applicable.