Curbs imposed on gatherings, sale of liquor

Panaji: In view of the Lok Sabha elections, the North Goa collector has prohibited gatherings of more than five persons in all assembly constituencies from May 5 to 8, 6pm.

Assembly of five or more persons, including candidates and their workers will be deemed as unlawful, said the collector. Gatherings at the polling stations on election day is completely prohibited.

The collector has imposed Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and prohibited any procession or rally under the garb of house-to-house visits or corner meetings to prevent creation of any nuisance or law and order problem. However, candidates are not restricted from door-to-door campaigning in the form of house-to-house visits.

“To prevent distribution of money, gifts or liquor and to prevent any nuisance and law and order problem, vehicles permitted by the returning officer for campaigning shall not ply on roads. This does not include vehicles specially authorised by the returning officer, district election officer and chief electoral officer for use on the day of polling,” said North Goa collector Sneha Gitte.

The collector has also ordered that all licenced premises for sale of liquor will remain closed from May 5, 6pm to May 7, midnight, and on June 4.

Premises with bar and restaurant can serve food only, while the liquor counter will have to be closed.

Gitte said that the owners of such premises will have to display a board stating the restrictions.

On the day of polling, restaurants, bars, eateries and food joints in municipal areas and within 100 metres of the polling station shall remain closed. In villages, restaurants, bars, tea shops, eateries and stores within 200 metres of the polling station have to remain closed.