During a media briefing today about the actions of the election commission, the chief electoral officer of Gujarat, P Bharathi announced the closure of permitted liquor shops in the already dry state, Gujarat, on May 7, when the state will host general and bye elections. 

Bharathi said the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has been implemented and 1.60 lakh advertisements on government properties and 58,000 advertisements on private properties have been removed. A control room is functioning for the disposal of election-related complaints.

Apart from this, valuables worth ₹42.62 crore have been seized. 2,459 complaints regarding the National Grievance Service Portal Voter ID Card, 249 regarding voter list, 49 of voter slips, and 780 others were found, totalling 3,537 complaints received with the CEO’s office.

More than 4,000 complaints were received at the control room, National Grievance Service Portal (NGPS), Postal, C Vigil, and Email and Apart from this, ₹1.16 crore cash, ₹7.37 crore worth of liquor were seized by the flying squad. 18.48 kg of gold and silver, 52.26 kg of drugs worth ₹14 lakh, and other items worth ₹22.50 crore including cars, motorcycles, cigarettes, and lighters, were seized, totalling ₹42.62 cr.  

About complaints, she said, “Only easily removable stickers or flags can be affixed to a private building. Two complaints of violation of the code of conduct by political parties have been received. Complaints have been received regarding stickers of political parties and stickers on vehicles, and both complaints were made by BJP.”

She said there will be a dry day on May 7 as voting in Gujarat, and no permitted liquor shops will be open for sale on this day.

Kuldeep Arya, additional chief electoral officer, said that the Election Commission has done a video conference with the border states. Law and order will be discussed. Talks with Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh authorities are also on.

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