The Delhi government has announced that liquor shops and establishments serving alcohol in the national capital will remain closed from February 3-5 due to the upcoming assembly election. A gazette notification from the Delhi Excise Commissioner declared “dry days” under the Excise Rules-2010, applying to various excise license holders on voting day for the 70-member assembly and on the counting day.
The sale of alcohol will be prohibited from 6 PM on February 3 until 6 PM on February 5, covering the 48 hours leading up to the conclusion of polling, according to the notification.
Additionally, a dry day will be observed on February 8, the day of vote counting. During these periods, liquor shops, hotels, restaurants, clubs and any other establishments serving or selling alcohol will be banned from doing so. This prohibition also extends to non-proprietary clubs, star hotels, and licensed establishments, regardless of the type of license they hold.
The Delhi assembly election will take place in a single phase on February 5, with results to be announced on February 8.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which won the last two elections by significant margins, is aiming for another term. In 2015, AAP secured 67 out of 70 seats, while in 2020, the party won 62 seats.
For the upcoming election, 699 candidates are contesting for the 70 assembly seats, an increase from 672 in 2020. AAP and Congress have fielded candidates in all constituencies, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is contesting 68 seats, leaving two for allies Janata Dal and Loktantrik Jan Shakti Party.
With inputs from PTI
