Thrissur, Kerala: Liquor outlets, including toddy shops, situated along the Thrissur-Ernakulam district border will remain shut for five days due to restrictions imposed for the upcoming Kerala local body elections, officials said.

As per the Election Commission’s dry day rules, liquor sales are prohibited within a five-kilometre radius of polling stations during the voting period. In districts up to Ernakulam, polling is scheduled for December 9, and the dry-day restriction will be in effect from 6 pm on December 7 until the completion of voting on polling day.

All bars, toddy shops and liquor outlets within a 5-km radius in Thrissur district will be required to suspend operations during this period. For northern districts, including Thrissur, where polling will be held on December 11, the dry day will be in effect from 6 pm on December 9 until the close of polling. Outlets located along the Ernakulam border will also be required to shut during both dry day windows.

As per official estimates, 16 toddy shops in Thrissur district will face a five-day closure because of overlapping dry-day restrictions linked to the two polling phases.

Meanwhile, many have raised concerns over the extended shutdown. District Toddy and Abkari Mazdoor Sangh (Mala Range) President AR Satheesan said the prolonged closure will severely impact the livelihood of toddy workers. AV Unnikrishnan, District Convener of the Toddy–Liquor Industry Coordination Committee (AITUC), urged authorities to introduce alternative financial arrangements to support workers during the shutdown.

The restrictions form part of the Election Commission’s efforts to ensure peaceful and fair polling across Kerala.