Bars and off-shops across Calcutta and the adjoining Howrah will remain shut from 6pm on Thursday to 6pm on Saturday because of the last phase of the elections on Saturday, June 1.

While Calcutta will vote on Saturday, the curb has been extended to Howrah because it adjoins the city.

Bars and off-shops will also remain shut during the period in Dum Dum and Barasat, which will go to the polls on June 1, and in Barrackpore, which is contiguous to the two constituencies.

“We have informed bar and off-shop owners about the restriction on the sale of liquor during this period,” said an excise department official. “This is in keeping with a directive from the Election Commission of India (ECI) and under Section 135C of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.”

Sale of liquor in bars and off-shops will be banned across the state on June 4, the day the votes will be counted, the excise department official said.

“We have informed our members about the excise department directive. The club will remain closed from noon on May 31 and the entire day on June 1,” said a senior member of Lake Club.

Beginning Thursday evening, online sale of liquor from Spencer’s outlets will remain suspended, a senior official of Spencer’s Retail said.