Delhi is gearing up for the sixth phase of the Indian Lok Sabha elections, scheduled for Saturday, May 25. The Indian National Congress is seeking to join forces with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as part of the Indian Union and challenge the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The national capital will hold one phase of voting in all seven constituencies, which will be the penultimate phase of the elections.
Authorities in the capital imposed several restrictions on voting day, including a 48-hour ban on alcohol sales.
Also read: Lok Sabha elections 2024: Complete list of 58 seats going to polls in the sixth phase on May 25
Delhi Assembly Elections
Here’s what’s open and closed on Election Day:
Liquor store
The Excise Department has informed that all liquor outlets and licensed shops in Delhi and adjoining areas including Faridabad and Gurgaon will remain closed on May 25. The direction follows an order issued by the Election Commission of India.
The closure will be in force till 6 pm on May 25. The order will be effective from 6 pm on May 23. Moreover, there will be a ban on sale of liquor in the national capital on June 4, the day of counting of votes for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Also read: Indian Lok Sabha elections: ‘CCTV cameras, drones, 31,000 police’, security stepped up in Delhi for sixth phase of voting;
Delhi School
Notably, schools in the national capital have been closed due to the heatwave, resulting in the Delhi government directing all private schools to begin their summer vacations immediately.
Bank
Additionally, banks will be closed on the fourth Saturday of May, May 25. In the fifth phase, the Reserve Bank of India has declared bank holidays in select cities.
What’s open?
Delhi Metro
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has announced that metro services on all routes will begin at 4 am on May 25, the day of voting in the national capital.
A post on the official DMRC handle, X, said, “On the day of the Delhi Assembly elections on May 25, train services on all Delhi Metro routes will begin at 4 am to accommodate staff deployed for election campaigning. Trains will run at intervals of 30 minutes on all routes till 6 am.”
It added: “Until 6am, trains will run every 30 minutes on all lines. After 6am, regular metro trains will operate throughout the day (SIC).”
Bus service
The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) will operate additional bus services on 35 routes from 4 am on May 25 to facilitate travel to and from polling booths in Delhi. Similarly, the Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transport System (DIMTS) will provide services on 46 routes.
Transportation information
The Delhi Traffic Police is yet to issue a traffic advisory for the polling day, but an advisory issued on May 24 stated, “In view of the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, traffic restrictions will be implemented from May 24, 2024. Please follow the advisories.”
Traffic restrictions are in place today from 9am to 5pm, including near ITI Nand Nagri Delhi. For more details, please refer to the official traffic advisory.
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