Heatwave During LS Polls: ECI Sets Up Task Force To Review Situation Before Every Phase

New Delhi: Worried over severe heatwave sweeping through the country, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday constituted a task force that will review the impact of heat and humidity on ongoing Lok Sabha elections, five days before each polling phase.

Only the first of seven phases of voting has been conducted so far.

The task force will comprise officials from ECI, Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

The second phase is scheduled for April 26, and the ECI said it has been informed by IMD that there is no “major concern” regarding the heatwave and weather forecast is “normal.”

The task force will have officials from the poll panel, IMD, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Setting up the task force was one of four decisions taken at Monday’s meeting of ECI.

The poll body instructed Union Health Ministry to issue necessary instructions for tackling conditions affecting election operations.

ECI also decided to hold a separate review meeting with all state Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) to make adequate arrangements like ‘shamiyana’, drinking water, fans, and other assured minimum facilities, for polling stations.

The ECI will undertake activities to spread awareness among public about precautionary measures during heatwave conditions.

“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,” ECI stated.