With election day for the Maharashtra Assembly polls fast approaching, scheduled on November 20, Mumbai and major areas like Thane and Pune will be observing several dry days that lead to the conducting of free and fair polls. All liquor shops in every corner of the region will remain shut for four days, including on November 18 after 6 PM, and fully on November 19, 20, and 23. All this is to ensure law and order on the day of the vote and counting.
Dry Days Defined
Dry day of Mumbai are dates when the sale on liquor shops is prohibited in a region, coinciding with various national, religious, or cultural functions. It is also called for elections to have a peaceful environment and avoid hassle. Recently, Maharashtra had observed dry day on November 12 as it fell on Kartik Ekadashi, which is a religious function.
Holiday on Poll Day for BMC Staff
BMC has declared November 20 a holiday for employees in business and offices within its jurisdiction in an effort to boost the participation of voters and dry day for mumbai will happen as the liquor shops will close. This is to provide people with sufficient time to vote. Brihanmumbai Municipal Commissioner and district election officer Bhushan Gagrani said strict compliance will be ensured and violations will attract action under Election Commission guidelines.Improving Voter Turnout
Maharashtra has over 9.7 crore registered voters, of which more than 5 crore are males, 4.5 crore females, and 6,101 transgender voters as per the updated rolls on October 30. Apart from these, over 6.41 lakh electors are registered with disabilities while 1.16 lakh services electors in the State. Maharashtra Chief Electoral Officer S. Chockalingam focuses on efforts to boost the electoral turnout: 1,181 polling stations will be set up in high-rise buildings and residential complexes in Mumbai, Thane and Pune.This includes 210 polling stations in slum areas for easier access to residents. The state will have an altogether 1,00,186 polling stations equipped with ballot units, control units, and VVPATs. For this, the Election Commission has taken utmost measures deploying 142 general observers, 41 police observers, and 71 expenditure supervisors.
Vote Counting and Results
The counting of votes is scheduled for November 23, and the election results will be declared then. As Maharashtra readies for the democratic exercise, the authorities will ensure security and maximum voter turnout.
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