Chennai: The Tamilnadu government has announced closure of the state-owned TASMAC liquor shops in nine newly carved districts where ordinary elections to rural local bodies will be held in two phases on 6 and 9 October.
A TASMAC release said restrictions will also be imposed in 28 districts, where casual elections will be held on 9 October.
As per the restrictions, sale of liquor, opening of bars and transporting of liquor into poll-bound areas in the nine districts were barred.
Following a circular from the Tamilnadu State Election Commission (TNSEC), the government saod sale or opening of bars or transporting of liquor into poll-bound areas or to areas within a 5-km radius would be prohibited from 10 am on 4 October to midnight of 6 October, for the the first phase polls.
In areas where the second phase polling will take place, similar restrictions would be in force from 10 am on 7 October to midnight of 9 October and also on 12 Ocotber, the counting day.
Ordinary elections are scheduled in nine new districts of Chengalpattu, Kallakurichi, Kancheepuram, Ranipet, Tenkasi, Tirunelveli, Tirupattur, Vellore and Villupuram in two phases.
A total of 79,433 candidates are in the fray contesting for 23,998 posts in these nine districts. As for casual elections scheduled in 28 districts on 9 October, a total of 1,386 candidates are in the fray contesting for the remaining 418 posts.