On Friday, October 17, 2023, the Government issued Decree 1702, which establishes the rules for maintaining public order, including Dry Law, in light of the upcoming regional elections on Sunday, October 29, 2023.
Among various measures, many consider the dry law probably one of the most important ones. The National Government, as specified in the regulation, has prohibited the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages throughout the territory from 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 28, until 6:00 a.m. on Monday, October 30, 2023, in relation to the Dry Law or “Ley Seca.”
During the established dry law hours, authorities prohibit both selling and consuming alcoholic beverages in public or publicly accessible places to maintain order during these activities. Restaurants remain open for business but cannot serve alcohol. Many bars shut down during this period. Supermarkets will remain open, but they will close their alcohol sections, and they will prohibit the purchase of these products.
Additional Measures
The decree also includes the following additional measures:
- Starting on Monday, October 23, and until Monday, October 30, only indoor political gatherings are allowed.
- On election day, authorities prohibit all political advertising, demonstrations, statements, and interviews for electoral purposes through radio, press, television, mobile, static, or sound advertising.
- Electoral witnesses have the right to access polling stations from 7:00 am on election day and must identify themselves with their citizenship card and the respective credential issued and signed by the electoral authority. Electoral witness credentials are personal and non-transferable.
- During voting hours, which are from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, authorities prohibit the use of cell phones, cameras, or video recording devices within the polling station, except for media outlets coordinating with the National Civil Registry. After the polls close, media can only provide information on election results from electoral authorities.
- Citizens with physical limitations or disabilities that prevent them from voting independently can be accompanied by one person inside the voting booth without compromising the secrecy of their vote.
- Media outlets are prohibited from projecting election outcomes based on received data, sharing election results, or broadcasting voter survey results on election day.
- From October 27 to October 30, 2023, telecommunications services will prioritize messages from electoral authorities. Electrical service providers must ensure the provision of electricity in optimal conditions during the voting and counting process.
- The government also enforces a “Ley Seca” (Dry Law) on the entire territory, which prohibits the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages from 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 28, until 6:00 a.m. on Monday, October 30, 2023.
- Authorized land and river border crossings will be closed from 6:00 p.m. on October 28, 2023, until 4:00 p.m. on October 29, 2023.
Visit our City Life section for more local news.