The South Andaman district administration has declared two dry days in connection with the forthcoming bye-elections to Gram Panchayat Member Constituencies and a Municipal Council ward, invoking provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and the Andaman and Nicobar Excise Policy, 2013.
According to the order issued by the Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Magistrate, South Andaman District, February 8, 2026, the date of polling, and February 10, 2026, the date of counting, will be observed as dry days in the notified election areas. The decision has been taken under Section 135C of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, read with Clause 4.3(a)(7) of the Andaman and Nicobar Excise Policy, 2013.
The dry day restrictions will apply to the bye-election for the Gram Panchayat Member Constituencies of Mannarghat-4 under Gram Panchayat Mannarghat and Bambooflat-1 under Gram Panchayat Hope Town, both falling within Ferrargunj Tehsil. The order also covers the bye-election for Ward Councillor of Ward No. 17 of the Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal Council under Sri Vijaya Puram Tehsil.
As per the directive, no liquor shops, hotels, restaurants, clubs, or any establishments engaged in the sale or service of liquor will be permitted to operate in the entire area of Gram Panchayat Mannarghat, the entire area of Gram Panchayat Hope Town, and Ward No. 17 of the Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal Council on the specified dates.
The prohibition extends to all categories of liquor vending and serving entities operating in the notified areas. These include Indian Made Foreign Liquor vending licence holders such as ANIIDCO outlets, Canteen Stores Department canteens, all Defence Unit Run Canteens, Police Messes, and private bar licence holders.
The order clearly states that no individual, irrespective of status or affiliation, will be permitted to sell or serve liquor on the designated dry days within the specified jurisdictions. The restriction applies uniformly across government-operated, defence, and private establishments.
The declaration of dry days is a standard administrative measure aimed at ensuring free, fair, and peaceful conduct of elections by restricting the availability of liquor during polling and counting days. Such measures are routinely enforced across the country during elections to prevent inducement of voters and maintain public order.
District authorities have directed all concerned establishments to strictly comply with the order. Any violation of the dry day restrictions will attract action as per the relevant provisions of law.
The bye-elections are being held to fill vacancies in the concerned Gram Panchayat Member Constituencies and the municipal ward, with polling scheduled for February 8, 2026, followed by counting of votes on February 10, 2026.
The district administration has reiterated that the dry day order is applicable only to the specified areas and dates connected with the bye-elections and is intended solely to support the electoral process.
