With the bulk of the Lok Sabha elections set to take place at a time when heat waves become the norm in most parts of the country, the Election Commission, on Monday, held a meeting with various stakeholders to review poll preparedness with regard to rising temperatures.
The full commission, comprising Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar along with Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, held a meeting with various stakeholders to discuss the weather forecast for the remaining six phases of the seven-phase elections and prepare a plan to ensure the polling process does not get affected by heat.
Present at the meeting were officials of the Indian Meteorological Department, the National Disaster Management Authority and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
The Director General, IMD, informed the commission that there is no major concern over the heatwave in phase two of polling to be held on April 26. According to the Met department, the weather forecast is normal for the 13 states and Union territories that will have polling in phase two.
The last phase of polling will be held on June 1, and the results come out on June 4.
The IMD has been providing the commission with daily, weekly and monthly forecasts about heat and humidity levels in different parts of the country.
The CEC said at the outset in the meeting that the purpose of the exercise was to make an assessment of the weather and heat wave predictions phase-wise. He said on the basis of the forecast, the commission would take measures to help voters, including steps to deal with medical situations, issue advisories to the stakeholders who will be managing the booths and also advise political parties.
According to a statement from the EC, it was decided at the meeting that a task force comprising officials from ECI, IMD, NDMA and the Union health ministry will review the impact of heat wave and humidity five days before each phase of polling for any concerning developments and mitigatory measures, if necessary.
The commission has directed the Union health ministry to issue necessary instructions to health authorities in states to prepare for and extend assistance in case of heatwave conditions affecting election operations. The EC will hold a separate review with state chief electoral officers to ensure adequate arrangements at polling stations, including shamiyana, drinking water, fans, and other assured minimum facilities.
There is speculation over whether the rising temperatures are a reason behind the fall in polling percentage in the first phase. However, EC officials say heat does not appear to be the main factor behind the drop in voter turnout. As per the officials, there is a wide array of possible reasons, including the harvest season and weddings taking place. The commission, they said, is assessing if voter apathy resulted in the fall in voting percentage.
