Alcohol Ban Ahead of Municipal Elections 2025

As the nation braces itself for the municipal elections scheduled for Sunday, 4th May, the police have issued a stark reminder in a communiqué, regarding the stringent regulations outlined in Articles 101(1) and 103A of the Excise Regulations of 1994.

To uphold the integrity of the electoral process, the sale of alcohol is unequivocally prohibited within any constituency, town, or village on the eve of the election, on polling day itself, and during the counting of votes.

Consequently, the sale of alcoholic beverages will be banned on Saturday, 3rd May—the day preceding the elections—and on Sunday, 4th May, the day when citizens will cast their votes.

Should the counting process extend into Monday, 5th May, this prohibition will be enforced for a total of three consecutive days.

Any violation of this prohibition is deemed a criminal offence, punishable by a hefty fine of up to Rs 50,000 and/or a potential prison sentence of up to two years.

As the countdown to the elections continues, the message is clear: the sanctity of the democratic process must be preserved at all costs.

Source: l’Express