EC sets up task force to review heatwave impact before each phase of polling

With most of the states reeling under heatwave this election season, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday called for a review of the impact of heatwave and humidity, and also set up a task for the same.

The task force will hold the review five days before each polling phase. For the second phase of polls on April 26, the poll panel said the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has informed it that there is no “major concern” regarding the heatwave and the weather forecast is “normal”.

The decision to constitute the task force was reached at a meeting in which the ECI took four major decisions. The task force will comprise of officials from the poll panel, IMD, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Election Commission said.

The poll body also directed the Health Ministry to issue necessary instructions to prepare for conditions affecting election operations. A decision was also taken to hold a separate review meeting with state Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) to make adequate arrangements such as tents, drinking water, fans, and other assured minimum facilities, for polling stations.

The ECI also decided to carry out activities to spread awareness among the public regarding precautionary measures (Do's and Don'ts) to mitigate the heatwave impact 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,” it stated.

The Lok Sabha elections began last Friday and will be held in total seven phases. After the second leg on April 26, the voting will be held on May 7, 13, 20, 25, and June 1. The counting of votes for all 543 constituencies will take place on June 4.