The election for the second phase of Lok Sabha elections 2024 is today i.e. on 26th April. In this phase, voters are reaching the seats of 12 states and 1 union territory to cast their votes. the 18th Lok Sabha Elections The counting of votes is to take place on June 4. Voting for the first phase has taken place on 102 Lok Sabha seats on April 19. In view of the voting, the administration has banned the sale of all types of liquor 48 hours in advance. In simple language, the entire day of 26th April will be a dry day. But the question is that if a person goes to the polling booth to vote after drinking alcohol during this period, will he get the right to vote or not?
voting rights
Let us tell you that in India all citizens above 18 years of age have the right to vote. The question is, can a voter go to vote after drinking alcohol? Can the police arrest him if he goes to the polling booth drunk? Retired Senior Principal Secretary of the Election Commission, RK Srivastava told the media that after drinking alcohol, you create ruckus in or around the polling station, cheering for any party or its candidate. Apart from this, if you promote the party or your behavior causes trouble to any other voter, then action can be taken against you.
Under Section 131 of the Representation of the People Act 1951, the Presiding Officer has the power to register a case against you and send you to jail. The police officer present at the polling booth can also register a case under IPC. But if a person drinks alcohol at home and comes to vote peacefully after drinking alcohol, then the administration officials cannot register a case against him without any reason.
Code of conduct
Action is taken against drunk driving under Section 185 of the Motor Vehicle Act 1988. But if you behave like this during elections, then a case can be registered against you for violating the Model Code of Conduct as well as under the IPC Act.
read this also: Code of Conduct: What happens to the liquor confiscated during the Code of Conduct, can anyone use it?
