Mumbai and several other cities in Maharashtra are set to observe multiple dry days in November as part of preparations for the upcoming Assembly elections. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced restrictions on alcohol sales to maintain public order and ensure a peaceful voting process.
As per the schedule, alcohol sales will be banned in Mumbai after 6 pm on November 18, followed by a complete dry day on November 19. On election day, November 20, liquor shops will remain closed until 6 pm, while on November 23, the day of vote counting, sales will be prohibited until 6 pm.
In addition to these measures, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has declared November 20 a public holiday for all employees within its jurisdiction. This step is aimed at boosting voter turnout by providing citizens with the opportunity to cast their votes without work-related pressures. BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani has assured that employees taking leave to vote will face no salary cuts or disciplinary action, urging everyone to participate in the democratic process.
These restrictions come alongside a dry day observed on November 12 for Kartik Ekadashi, highlighting the efforts by authorities to ensure a smooth and disruption-free election period. Maharashtra will vote for all 288 Assembly constituencies in a single phase on November 20, with results to be announced on November 23.