District Magistrate declares polling day as dry day

Acting on the directions of the State Election Commission, Punjab, and the Excise Commissioner, Punjab, under the provisions of Section 135(c) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the District Magistrate (DM), Amritsar, Sakshi Sawhney, while exercising her powers under Section 54(1) of the Punjab Excise Act, 1914, has declared December 21 as a “dry day” for the polling and counting of votes within the revenue limits of the Municipal Corporation, Nagar Panchayat, Amritsar district.

She said there would be a complete ban on the sale of any kind of intoxicants, storage and sale of liquor in the areas falling under the Municipal Corporation and Nagar Panchayats, Nagar Councils where elections would be held and the areas which come under the model code of conduct. These orders would also be fully applicable on hotels, restaurants, clubs and premises built in the areas of Municipal Corporations and Nagar Panchayats where consumption and sale of liquor was legally permitted, she said.

Besides, the District Magistrate issued an order prohibiting carrying of any kind of firearms, ammunition, explosives, flammable materials and sharp weapons such as takua, spear and trident within the limits of the civic bodies in the district where elections would be held or the areas falling under the model code of conduct under Section 163 of the BNSS was in force. This order would remain in force till December 22, she said.

There would be a holiday for workers of registered industries falling within the limits of the civic bodies. District Election Officer said no leave of workers would be marked in lieu of this. She said apart from this, a holiday had been declared for those workers, who were working at registered shops and establishments located in the district to enable them vote during the elections for the Municipal Corporation, Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats.