The Commissioner of Police, in consultation with the Electoral Commissioner and the chief executive officer of the Seychelles Licensing Authority (SLA), has imposed a restriction on the sale of liquor during the election weekend.

The restriction will be effective from 11pm on Friday September 9 (tomorrow) to 8.30am on Sunday September 11, 2016 on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue.

This measure applies to shopkeepers, operators of public bars including toddy, lapire and baka bars, dance halls, discotheques and members’ clubs.

Noting that these places must not sell and/or deliver liquor to members of the public during the restriction period, a joint communiqué from the SLA and the Police says that they will be able to resume their normal operation on September 11 as from 8.30am.

The communiqué however adds that the restriction does not apply to restaurants and bona fide lodgers in hotels and guesthouses but does apply to any member of the public who wishes to consume alcohol in a public bar in a hotel.

Noting that the measure is to assist in the orderly conduct of the parliamentary election tomorrow and Saturday, the communiqué calls on licensees and members of the public for their assistance and cooperation.

The three female police officers who were among eight officers promoted yesterday (see lead article) have said they are ready to face the challenges that will come with their new responsibilities in the force.

Newly promoted inspectors Winnifred Baccarie, Vanessa Anacoura and Marie-Antoinette Gedeon have all been in the police force for over five years and have worked in several units of the force and gathered knowledge and experience through hard work and dedication to their chosen profession.

Police Commissioner Reginald Elizabeth said Inspector Anacoura will now be the station commander at the Central Police headquarters, Inspector Gedeon will be responsible for the traffic section while Inspector Baccarie will be taking new responsibilities at the Police Academy.

“We need officers in these key positions to ensure the structural organisation of the force works effectively,” Commissioner Elizabeth said.