Lok Sabha Elections 2024 | No major concern regarding heat wave for 2nd phase: IMD tells EC

Director General, IMD, Mrutunjay Mohapatra also told the poll panel that the weather forecast is 'normal' for the 13 states and Union Territories going to polls in phase two, according to an official statement.

New Delhi: With heatwave conditions apparently impacting on the voter turnout in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections, the Election Commission on Monday formed a task force to review the impact of health and humidity five days before each polling phase and decided to hold a review with state election officials to ensure adequate facilities at polling stations to beat the heat.

The first phase of election was held on April 19 and initial aggregate voter turnout was pegged by the EC at 62.34 per cent. The EC is yet to update the statistics with the final figure for the polling, which was held in 102 seats in 21 states and union territories.

When asked about the updated figures, a senior official said the "updated data is on Voter Turnout AAP and is valid and may be used for reference". While the state-wise data is available on the app, it has not provided an aggregate turnout for the seats that went to polls. In 2019, the phase 1 voter turnout -- 69.43 per cent -- was publicised two days after the polling on April 11.

At a meeting convened by the EC, the Director General of Indian Meteorological Department said that there is "no major concern" with regard to heat wave for phase 2 elections scheduled on April 26. The weather forecast is normal for the 13 States/UTs going for polls, the official said.

The meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar decided that a task force comprising officials from ECI, IMD, NDMA and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will review the impact of heat wave and humidity, five days before each polling phase for any concerning developments and mitigatory measures, if necessary.

It also directed the Ministry of Health to issue necessary instructions to health authorities in states to prepare for and extend assistance in case of heatwave conditions affecting election operations.

The Commission will hold a separate review with State Chief Electoral Officers to ensure adequate arrangements at polling stations including shamiyana, drinking water, fans, and other assured minimum facilities among other things, a statement said.