Poll panel gives nod to serve liquor at private functions after Kodagu groups object to ban

MADIKERI: Facing opposition, the Election Commission has instructed all Excise Department officials in the state to relax the liquor ban ahead of elections and to allowed serving of liquor at private functions.

Earlier, the Election Commission had issued an order that liquor should not be served in any ceremonies till the completion of the election process. However, this was met with opposition as the Kodava Samaj and Gowda Samaj in Kodagu had filed a complaint with the Election Commission stating that serving liquor is part of their custom in ceremonies like marriages and had appealed to the officials to allow serving of alcohol at private functions.

The Election Commission has allowed serving of liquor at private functions.

Kilan Ganapathy from the BJP also had filed a complaint on behalf of all the organisations, and after four days, the authorities issued an order relaxing the restriction.

However, the Election Commission has issued an order that liquor should not be supplied to meetings organised by political parties or politicians and that the supply of liquor will be permitted as usual as long as the Election Code of Conduct is in force.