Guwahati: The Assam Government has announced dry days in 11 districts ahead of the 2026 General Elections to the Mising Autonomous Council and the Sonowal Kachari Autonomous Council.
According to an order issued by the Excise Department, the sale, distribution and consumption of liquor and other intoxicating substances will be prohibited from November 28, 2026, which falls 48 hours before polling, until the completion of voting on November 30.
The polling day, November 30, will also be observed as a dry day. The restrictions will remain applicable on December 1 if re-polling is conducted and on December 3, the day scheduled for counting of votes. The prohibition will continue until the counting process is completed.
The order covers 11 districts: Biswanath, Charaideo, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Golaghat, Jorhat, Lakhimpur, Majuli, Sivasagar, Sonitpur and Tinsukia.
During the restricted period, all wholesale liquor warehouses and retail Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) outlets will remain shut. The closure will also apply to ‘ON’ and ‘OFF’ liquor shops, outlets attached to hotels and clubs, and country liquor shops.
The order further prohibits the possession, sale, distribution and supply of liquor and other intoxicating substances during the specified period. The restrictions will cover hotels, restaurants, as well as public and private premises.
Private possession and storage of liquor will also be subject to restrictions, with legal action to be taken against unauthorised storage.
The Excise Department has cautioned that violations will invite action under the Assam Excise Act and Rules, Section 135C of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and Rule 326(A) of the Assam Excise Rules, 2016, the press release stated.