Lok Sabha Elections 2024: EC forms task force to review heatwave during polls
Lok Sabha Elections 2024: The Election Commission of India (ECI) set up a task force on Monday to review the effects of heatwave and humidity, which will do so five days prior to each polling phase. The Lok Sabha elections are currently underway despite an extreme heatwave.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has advised the ECI that there is no "major concern" with the heatwave, and the weather forecast for Friday's second phase is "normal."
One of the four important decisions made at the meeting was to set up the task force. According to the Election Commission, representatives from the poll panel, IMD, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will be on the task force.
Furthermore, the poll body directed the Health Ministry to issue the necessary instructions to prepare for conditions affecting election operations. It also decided to hold a separate review meeting with state Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) to ensure that polling stations have adequate facilities such as "shamiyana" (tents), drinking water, fans, and other minimum facilities.
The ECI also decided to conduct public awareness campaigns about precautionary measures (Do's and Don'ts) to mitigate the impact of the heatwave in areas with polling booths.
"The Commission has been closely monitoring weather reports and will make sure the comfort and well-being of voters, along with polling personnel, and security forces, candidates, and political party leaders," the statement said.
- With inputs from agencies
