1 June 2024: At least 18 polling staff succumbed to heat-related ailments in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar during the final phase of the Lok Sabha elections, as severe heatwave conditions persisted across north India, reports the Indian Express. The state governments have announced ex gratia compensation of Rs 4 lakh to the next of kin of each victim.
In Uttar Pradesh, eight polling staff died in Mirzapur district. According to the district administration, three members of a polling team were hospitalized after their health deteriorated and died during treatment. They were identified as Umesh Srivastava, a consolidation officer; Shivpujan Srivastava, a clerk in the state health department; and Ravi Prakash, a sanitation worker.
Additionally, five home guards aged 50 and above – Baccha Ram, Satya Prakash, Ram Jiyavan Yadav, Tribhuvan Singh, and Ram Karan Singh – also died from heat-related complications. Officials are investigating reports of similar fatalities in Rae Bareli and Sonbhadra, with unconfirmed reports of a security official’s death in Rae Bareli.
In Bihar, 10 polling staff were among 14 people who died of heat-related issues in the past 24 hours. The state disaster management department reported fatalities in Bhojpur, Rohtas, Kaimur, and Aurangabad districts. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has instructed district magistrates to monitor the situation closely, ensure round-the-clock availability of doctors at primary healthcare centers, and provide water at important locations.
With temperatures soaring above 44 degrees Celsius, the Bihar government has ordered the closure of all schools, coaching institutes, and Anganwadi centers until June 8. Sasaram, Karakat, Arrah, and Buxar constituencies are among the eight seats in Bihar set to vote on Saturday.
The deaths underscore the severe impact of the heatwave on electoral processes and the urgent need for measures to protect polling staff from extreme weather conditions.
