Election Watch Forum(EWF) today demanded the government to stop liquor sales in the seven Assembly Constituencies where by-polls were slated to be held on March 18. Talking to the mediapersons here, Forum Chairman, Mr Justice Ambati Lakshmana Rao, urged all the political parties and contesting candidates to extend support to conduct the elections without liquor and money. The belt shops were closed for one month throughout the state during 2009 elections, he pointed out and said the government should also maintain the same in the seven segments from March 12 to 18.
Appealing to the people of the seven constituencies to defeat the candidates if anyone was luring voters by offering either money or liquor, he asked the state government to take steps against the managements of newspapers and channels who were publishing and telecasting paid news during the elections.
The volunteers of the forum would visit the constituencies from March 11 to 18 to ensure no liquor sales took place or money paid to voters during the period. UNI