Mumbai is gearing up for a series of dry days in November as part of preparations for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections. According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), the sale of alcohol will be strictly prohibited across Mumbai and other cities on select days to ensure a smooth electoral process.
Liquor ban schedule for Mumbai and other cities:
- November 18: Alcohol sales will be banned after 6 pm.
- November 19: A complete dry day will be observed, a day before the crucial voting day.
- November 20: On election day, liquor sales will remain prohibited until 6 pm.
- November 23: The sale of alcohol will be banned until 6 pm as the ECI announces the Maharashtra Assembly Election results.
These restrictions are part of efforts to maintain public order during the election period, a common practice during significant national, cultural, or religious events. Dry days are enforced to prevent disruptions and ensure that voters can exercise their rights without any influence from alcohol.
The Election Commission has announced that polling for all 288 Assembly constituencies in Maharashtra will be conducted in a single phase on November 20, 2024. The counting of votes and announcement of results are scheduled for November 23, 2024.
In addition to the liquor ban, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has declared November 20 as a public holiday for all employees working in businesses and offices within BMC limits. This move is aimed at ensuring maximum voter turnout by allowing citizens the opportunity to cast their votes without work-related constraints.
BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani has issued a directive warning employers against any non-compliance. He also assured that employees would not face any disciplinary action or salary deductions for taking leave on election day, encouraging everyone to participate in the democratic process.
Prior to the election-related dry days, Mumbai and other cities like Thane and Pune observed a dry day on November 12 due to the religious occasion of Kartik Ekadashi.
These measures reflect the efforts of the Election Commission and local authorities to uphold the integrity of the electoral process, ensuring that the state elections proceed smoothly and without incident.