Delhi residents are facing a somewhat ‘dry week’-with liquor stores shut till December 3 in some localities. Closures were implemented starting Friday evening as 12 wards headed towards bypoll elections. As per a recent order, the closures have been implemented because these wards are going to the polls for the upcoming MCD by-elections, prompting poll-related restrictions under election norms.
The notification issued under Rule 52 of the Delhi Excise Rules 2010 states that liquor outlets situated within these 12 wards will remain shut during the specified days and timings.
Only 12 wards are under dry-day restrictions
According to the order, the affected wards are-Mundka, Greater Kailash, Ashok Vihar, Dwarka-B, Chandni Chowk, Naraina, Dichaon Kalan, Sangam Vihar-A, Vinod Nagar, Shalimar Bagh-B, Dakshin Puri and Chandni Mahal.
All authorised liquor vends and retail outlets located inside these wards must comply with the dry-day order.
The bypolls were necessitated after several councillors from these seats were elected as MLAs or MPs earlier this year, leaving 12 vacant seats. Polling will be conducted on November 30, with counting scheduled for December 3.
The excise order mentions the following timings for closure of liquor shops in the affected wards-
1. November 28 from 5:30 pm onwards.
2. November 30 (Polling Day): Until 5:30 pm after voting ends.
3. December 3 (Counting Day): For the entire day
These restrictions are part of standard election protocol designed to maintain law and order and ensure a fair and peaceful polling process.
Political activity in the run-up to the bypolls has intensified, with the BJP, AAP and Congress all aiming to consolidate their turf. As per IANS, 53 candidates are contesting across the 12 wards, making it a closely watched civic contest.
