The Election Commission of India has issued instructions to Chandigarh to be prepared for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections by declaring dry days. The Chief Electoral Officer Chandigarh has given a timetable for Union Territory dry days, according to orders from the same commission.
The time for this prohibition is 5:00 p.m. and Three kilometres distance from of either Haryana or Punjab also comes under these restrictions.
These orders have caused the closing down of all spirit shops/licences in the Union Territory as well as near state boundaries in accordance with Section 135-C of the Representation of the People Act 1951 and Rule 37(9) of the Punjab Liquor License Rules 1956 (applicable to U.T. Chandigarh).
Furthermore, these restrictions will be enforced within a radius of 3 kilometres from the inter-state borders with neighbouring states Haryana and Punjab. During these specified dry days, the sale, distribution, and consumption of spirituous, fermented, or intoxicating liquors or substances of similar nature are strictly prohibited in various establishments including hotels, restaurants, taverns, clubs, community centres, CSD canteens, shops, and any public or private places within U.T. Chandigarh and the specified border areas.
Chandigarh will have dry days from 6:00 pm on May 30th until 6:00 pm on June 1st, with an additional dry day on June 4th (counting day). Moreover, the storage of liquor by individuals will be tightly regulated, with stringent enforcement measures in place to restrict storage in unlicensed premises.
The stated measures are to guarantee a free and fair electoral process in which signs of influence from drinking alcohol among voters or in the course of elections are absent. Compliance with rules by the populace in Chandigarh this being the said administration and ensuring cooperation with relevant authorities so that elections can be smoothly carried out.
Implementing dry days at this time in Chandigarh is further proof of the seriousness with which the city takes its election responsibilities so as to create an environment friendly to democracy.
