Kerala, 6 December(HS): In view of the upcoming local body elections, all liquor outlets—including toddy shops and bars—located along the Thrissur–Ernakulam district border will remain closed for a total of five consecutive days.

The closure is mandated under election guidelines that prohibit the sale of alcohol within a five-kilometre radius of polling areas.

Ernakulam district will go to the polls on December 9. As per rules, a ‘dry day’ will be enforced in these regions from the evening of December 7, starting at 6 p.m., and will continue until the completion of polling on December 9.

During this period, liquor shops falling within the five-kilometre radius in the adjoining areas of Thrissur district must also remain closed.

Similarly, Thrissur and the northern districts—scheduled for polling on December 11—will observe a dry day from 6 p.m. on December 9 until the end of voting on December 11.

As a result, all liquor outlets within the notified zone on the Ernakulam side of the border will also be required to shut down.

Officials said the enforcement aims to ensure a peaceful and fair election process, as mandated by the Election Commission of India.

The directive will affect numerous bars, toddy shops, FL-shops, and other licensed establishments operating close to the inter-district boundary.

With the election schedule spanning two phases across central and northern Kerala, authorities are coordinating closely to ensure uniform implementation of dry days in all border regions.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman