The Uttar Pradesh's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) on Friday instructed the district authorities to make all the necessary arrangements at polling stations in order to protect the personnel and voters from scorching heat. The announcement comes amid the reports of 15 polling staff in state succumbing to heat-related conditions.
Thirteen poll personnel deployed in Mirzapur district died from high fever and high blood pressure amid the heatwave conditions. Twenty-three others were hospitalized. In Sonbhadra district, two more election duty personnel died, and nine others fell ill, likely due to heatstroke, a senior official reported on Friday.
UP CEO calls for proper arrangement at booths
Further, taking cognizance of the reports, Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa on Friday in a statement released called for proper arrangements at polling booths to protect the voters as well as polling officials from scorching heat.
Rinwa directed district authorities to ensure polling stations are equipped with cold drinking water, adequate shade, fans, and seating arrangements, especially for the elderly, women, and disabled voters, in preparation for the final phase of polling on Saturday.
"To combat the heatwave, polling stations must have ample supplies of ORS and medical kits, readily available to paramedics and ASHA workers at every polling center and voting site. Paramedic personnel should be deployed with the sector magistrate. Emergency ambulance services in the districts should be on standby to respond quickly to any incidents at polling centers," Rinwa emphasized.
Further, the CEO also stressed the importance of public awareness regarding heatwave safety measures. He urged the voters and polling personnel to wear light cotton clothing and use caps, umbrellas, or white cotton towels to shield themselves from the sun. He said, carry water bottles and drink plain water, lemonade, or ORS as needed.
Additionally, Rinwa also instructed that volunteers should provide water to voters waiting in queues and encouraged voters to visit polling stations early in the day before temperatures peak. He further also directed the nearby shops and general stores owners selling bottled water remain open on polling days.
