**Executive Summary**
The Election Commission of India has directed the implementation of "Dry Days" for the 2026 General Elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, as well as various bye-elections. Under Section 135C of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, liquor sales and distribution are prohibited for 48 hours ending with the conclusion of polls on April 23 and April 29, 2026, and on the counting day of May 4, 2026. These measures aim to ensure a regulated environment during the voting and tabulation periods.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Electoral Schedule and Scope**
* General Elections apply to Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, with bye-elections occurring in six states.
* Polling is scheduled for April 23, 2026 (Tamil Nadu and West Bengal Phase-I) and April 29, 2026 (West Bengal Phase-II).
* The counting of votes for all participating States and Union Territories will take place on May 4, 2026.
**Dry Day Statutory Provisions**
* No spirituous, fermented, or intoxicating liquors may be sold, given, or distributed during the 48 hours preceding the conclusion of the poll.
* The prohibition applies to all polling areas, including any dates scheduled for a re-poll.
* May 4, 2026 (Counting Day), is officially declared a "Dry Day" across all poll-going jurisdictions.
**Prohibitions on Establishments**
* The ban applies to liquor shops, hotels, restaurants, clubs, and taverns, whether public or private.
* Non-proprietary clubs and star hotels are strictly prohibited from serving liquor, regardless of their specific license category.
* No establishment is permitted to sell or serve liquor to any person during the restricted periods.
**Storage and Enforcement**
* The storage of liquor by individuals will be curtailed during the Dry Day periods.
* Excise laws regarding the storage of liquor in unlicensed premises will be vigorously enforced by relevant authorities.
**Impact Analysis**
**Liquor Vendors and Hospitality Establishments (Shops, Hotels, Restaurants, Clubs)**
**Impact**
These entities face a total prohibition on the sale and service of alcohol during the 48-hour pre-poll periods and on the day of counting.
**Action Required**
Must cease all liquor-related transactions and service on the designated dates, ensuring compliance regardless of the type of license held.
**State and Union Territory Governments**
**Impact**
Local authorities are responsible for the legal notification and enforcement of the Commission's directives within their jurisdictions.
**Action Required**
Must formally declare and notify "Dry Days" under relevant local laws and ensure rigorous enforcement of excise restrictions, particularly regarding unlicensed premises.
**General Public and Individuals**
**Impact**
Individuals will have restricted access to liquor and face limitations on the amount of alcohol they can legally store.
**Action Required**
Must adhere to the prohibition on purchasing liquor in polling areas and comply with curtailed storage limits during the specified election windows.
Key Entities Referenced
Section 135C of the Representation of the People Act, 1951: The statutory provision that prohibits the sale, giving, or distribution of liquor in a polling area during the forty-eight hours ending with the conclusion of a poll.
Election Commission of India (ECI): The primary regulatory body that announced the election schedule and directed the implementation of 'Dry-Day' across polling states.
Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal: The specific states and Union Territory where General Elections to Legislative Assemblies are being held and where dry-day restrictions are applicable.
Election Commission
General Elections to Legislative Assemblies and
bye-elections 2026
Implementation of Dry-Day
Posted On: 20 APR 2026 3:02PM by PIB Delhi
1. Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the schedule for the General Election to
Legislative Assemblies of Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal and bye-
elections in 6 states on March 15, 2026.
2. Polling in the State of Tamil Nadu and West Bengal (Phase-I) is scheduled for April 23, 2026
(Thursday), and for West Bengal (Phase-II) it will be conducted on April 29, 2026 (Wednesday),
with the counting of votes for all polling States and Union Territories to take place on May 4, 2026
(Monday).
3. Section 135C of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 provides that no spirituous,
fermented or intoxicating liquor or other substances of like nature shall be sold, given or
distributed at a hotel, eating house, tavern, shop or any other place, public or private, within a
polling area during the period of forty-eight hours ending with the hour fixed for the conclusion
of poll for any election in the polling area.
4. In view of the statutory provision as above, 'Dry day' shall be declared and notified under the
relevant State/Union Territory laws as is appropriate during 48 hours, ending with the hours
fixed for conclusion of poll with respect to polling day for an election in that polling area where
General Election to Legislative Assembly is being held. This will include the date of re-poll, if
any.
5. The Commission also directs that the date on which Counting of votes is to be taken up i.e. May
4, 2026 (Monday) shall also be declared 'Dry Day' under the relevant laws in poll going State/UT.
6. No liquor shops, hotels, restaurants, clubs and other establishments selling or serving liquor shall
be permitted to sell/ serve liquor to anyone whosoever, on the aforesaid days.
7. Non-proprietary clubs, star hotels, restaurants etc. and hotels functioning under different
categories of licenses for possession and supply of liquor, shall not be permitted to serve liquor
on these days.
8. The storage of liquor by individuals shall be curtailed during the above period and the
restrictions provided in the excise law on the storage of liquor in unlicensed premises shall be
vigorously enforced.
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PK/GDH/RP
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