Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The District Magistrate of South Goa has issued prohibitory orders in connection with the Zilla Panchayat elections, directing the closure of all restaurants, bars, tea shops, paan shops, eateries and other food joints located within a 100-metre radius of polling stations across South Goa on polling day, December 20, 2025, from 6.00 am to 9.00 pm.
Similar restrictions will be in force at counting centres on December 22, 2025, from 6.00 am till the completion of vote counting. The order also prohibits any gathering of more than five persons within 100 metres of polling stations in the Zilla Panchayat constituencies of South Goa district.
The restrictions will not apply to public servants on duty, authorised election officials, including polling staff, magistrates, police personnel and government employees, nor to bona fide marriage or funeral processions and religious processions or functions.
Violation of the order will attract penal action under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and other relevant provisions of law.
The order has been issued in the interest of maintaining public order and ensuring the smooth conduct of polling and counting processes.
