Deoria: In preparation for the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections scheduled for November 6, authorities in Uttar Pradesh’s Deoria district have ordered the closure of all liquor outlets within a three-kilometre radius of the Bihar border. Officials said the decision aims to maintain peace and ensure fair polling during the elections.

Official order from the district magistrate

District Magistrate Divya Mittal issued the directive following instructions from the Excise Department in Lucknow. An official spokesperson said, “The directive has been issued in compliance with a letter from the Excise Department to ensure peaceful and fair polling.”

When will the liquor ban be in effect?

According to the order, all country liquor, composite, foreign liquor and toddy retail shops within three kilometres of the Bihar border will remain closed from 6 pm on November 4 to 6 pm on November 6.

The spokesperson also said that liquor shops in the same zone will remain shut again from 6 am on November 14, the day votes will be counted, until the completion of the counting process.

Strict warning against violations

District Magistrate Divya Mittal warned that strict action would be taken under the Excise Act against any shop found operating during the prohibition period. The order also clarified that no compensation or relaxation would be provided to licence holders for the closure days.

Election schedule

Polling in Bihar will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11, with the counting of votes scheduled for November 14.
PTI inputs