Kerala Election Dry Day: Start Date and Time, Will It Begin Today or Tomorrow? All You Need To Know

Kerala is going to observe a statewide dry day ahead of the Kerala Assembly Elections 2026, with restrictions coming into force from 7:00 PM on April 7 until the close of polling on Thursday, April 9.

The government has taken this decision following the guidelines of the Election Commission of India to make sure that the voting process remains smooth and peaceful during this period. The sale, service, and consumption of alcohol will be completely prohibited across the state. The dry day rules will apply to all liquor outlets, bars, clubs, restaurants, and hotels, so Kerala will be fully alcohol-free for nearly 48 hours before polling concludes.

Counting Day May 4 Also Declared Dry Day

In addition to polling day restrictions, the state government has also declared May 4, 2026 which is the counting day as a separate dry day. The rule has been applied to maintain the law and order during result declaration, when political activity and public gatherings typically increase.

Kerala Assembly Elections 2026: Key Dates & Details

The Kerala Assembly Elections 2026 will be conducted in a single phase on April 9, 2026, covering all constituencies across the state.

The Polling Date is Thursday, April 9 and the counting date is May 4th. The election will take place across all 140 constituencies in Kerala for all Assembly Seats and it is a big political event in the state.

Reason Behind Dry Day Imposition During Elections

The imposition of a dry day during elections is a standard practice across India. The main objective behind this is to:Prevent alcohol-related disturbances.

The Alcohol ban will also make sure that the public order and safety is maintained and reduce the influence of inducements on voters

Authorities strictly enforce these rules, and violations can attract penalties under election laws.

Model Code of Conduct in Force

The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is already in effect since the announcement of the election schedule. This means political parties and candidates must adhere to strict guidelines regarding campaigning, public conduct, and election-related activities.