Liquor traders across the state have condemned the decision of the Chief Electoral Officer to shut down liquor shops and bars for two days from 8 December in light of the elections to the 25 Legislative Council seats to be held on 10 December.
In a recently issued order, establishments selling liquor were directed to cease operations from 4 pm on December 8 till midnight of December 10.
The Federation of Wine Merchants and Associations, Karnataka has written a letter to the Chief Electoral Officer requesting him not to close down the liquor shops, as the voter turnout is small, unlike in the general elections.
The federation argued, “The total number of voters in the state in this election is 99,062 and all voters are educated voters who represent different strata of people.”
It further states that the number of polling stations in the state was only 6,072 and the average number of votes polled at each booth is a meager 16.
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