Bhubaneswar: As the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Odisha are being held during peak summer, the authorities are taking steps to ensure ‘zero casualty’ due to possible heatwave conditions during polling period in the state.
Odisha’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Nikunja Dhal said that the authorities are aware of the possible heatwave conditions during the polling period and necessary steps are being taken to deal with the situation.
Stating that the poll authorities are preparing to provide necessary facilities to the voters, he said the mission is ‘zero casualty’ in heatwave. “We will create awareness among the voters and precautions to take while they are coming to vote. We will have ambulances available to take care of any emergency case. There will be a mobile health unit apart from para-medical staff and ORS packets with the mobile parties,” Dhal was quoted by ANI as saying.
He further said that ASHA workers will also be deployed in polling stations.
“There will be a three-tier system to combat heatwave conditions. The health department is establishing heatstroke wards in all the prime health centres. Drinking water facilities will be provided in all booths,” he said.
The CEO, who has visited four Lok Sabha constituencies to take stock of the preparation, said he interacted with Police, District Election Officers and other concerned officers to review the poll preparedness and law and order situation there. “I will soon visit Ganjam district to review arrangements in Berhampur, Aska and Kandhamal Lok Sabha seats,” he added.
