Kolkata, 20 April (H.S.) : Ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, the state Excise Department has ordered closure of liquor shops four days before polling, extending the usual dry-day restriction period.

Following the fresh notification, liquor outlets in districts going to the first phase of polling on April 23 were shut from Sunday night.

Traditionally, the sale of liquor is prohibited 48 hours before polling. However, amid heightened enforcement measures by the Election Commission and the administration, the restriction period has reportedly been extended to four days this time.

The order applies to districts voting in the first phase, including Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Cooch Behar, Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri, North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur, Malda, Murshidabad, East Midnapore, West Midnapore, Jhargram, Purulia, Bankura, Paschim Bardhaman and Birbhum.

For constituencies going to the second phase of polling on April 29, liquor shops will remain closed from April 25 onward.

The state government has also directed closure of liquor warehouses from Monday, preventing any additional supply to retail outlets.

The sudden move has caused disappointment among consumers, many of whom usually plan purchases in advance based on the standard 48-hour restriction. This time, the order was reportedly issued on Sunday and implemented the same day.

A liquor shop operator in New Town said he received instructions on Sunday itself to shut the store four days before polling. He added that the warehouse supplying stock would also remain closed from Monday.

Officials said the measure has been taken to maintain law and order during the elections and to prevent misuse of alcohol during the polling process.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh