While the vends in Punjab and Haryana were closed at 5 p.m., those in Chandigarh were sealed at 5 a.m. It has been alleged that the Administration misinterpreted the Chief Election Commissioner's directives on dry days.

The Administration's decision led to the vends across the border in Punjab and Haryana selling much more liquor, both cheap and medium priced. On condition of anonymity, local liquor contractors said that the sales during the past two days had increased by hardly 10 to 20 per cent.

In comparison, local sale at the time of the previous Lok Sabha election witnessed a 20 per cent hike. The contractors explained that this time the political parties had purchased liquor directly from the distilleries, evading the Excise duty to be paid to the Administration.

UT DC M. Ramsekhar said that the move to close the vends at 5 a.m. was a local decision in response to the growing incidence of stocking liquor in the city. "Being a district magistrate and returning officer, I can take any local decision for conducting free and fair election in the Union Territory. Any type of influence and corrupt practices by political parties to woo the electorates, both in villages and colonies, will not be allowed anywhere," he added.

When asked as to when vends would reopen, he said it would depend on the situation after the September 5 election. He refused to make any promise on advancement of opening of vends.