Nepal bans booze for crucial polls

Nepal's government has banned the sale and consumption of alcohol for a week around elections that will decide the country's political future, the home ministry announced on Friday.

Nepal's government has banned the sale and consumption of alcohol for a week around elections that will decide the country's political future, the home ministry announced on Friday.

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"The sale and use of alcohol has been banned for a week from Monday to ensure that the election takes place peacefully," home ministry spokesman Modraj Dottel told AFP.

Nepalis will vote on Thursday in elections that will most likely lead to the abolition of the world's last Hindu monarchy and a new constitution in the culmination of a 2006 peace deal between rebel Maoists and government.

"The government have sent notices to all district administration offices to prevent people from buying, selling and consuming alcohol," Dottel said.

Anyone found guilty of breaking the new rule faces up to a month in jail and a maximum fine of 780 dollars.