CEO Manoj denies EC role in liquor ban, asks Excise Department for clarity

A controversy has erupted over the sudden closure of liquor shops across West Bengal, including Kolkata, with the state’s Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal stating that no such directive was issued by the Election Commission. Expressing surprise, he said he would seek an explanation from the Excise Department, raising questions about the decision that affected areas not going to polls in the first phase.

According to established election guidelines, liquor shops are required to remain closed for 48 hours prior to polling only in constituencies where voting is scheduled. The first phase of the Assembly elections will be held on April 23 across 152 constituencies, where such restrictions are applicable. However, shops across the state were shut from April 20, extending the restriction beyond the mandated areas and duration.

The Excise Department’s order directed closure of liquor shops not only in first-phase polling regions but also in areas scheduled for the second phase, including Kolkata, North 24 Parganas, and South 24 Parganas. As per the communication, shops would remain closed from April 20 to April 23, and again from April 25 to April 29, with an additional closure on counting day, May 4.

This effectively stretches the shutdown period to nearly a week in some regions, significantly beyond the standard 48-hour rule. Despite citing past practices since 1998, no clear justification has been provided for extending the restrictions to non-polling areas or increasing the duration this time.

The CEO’s remarks have intensified the debate, as they indicate that the decision may not have originated from the Election Commission. The development has raised concerns about coordination between departments and the impact of such sudden and extended restrictions on the public and businesses during the election period.