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The election ‘mahotsav’ of the largest democracy came to a close on 01 June 2024 when Phase 7 of polling, its last leg, ended. Many heroes of this mammoth exercise had emerged by then, starting from 19th April, Phase 1 of polling, braving extreme heat conditions and giving us a ringside view of the elections. We watched exemplary on-the-ground reporting on TV by Mr Rajeev Ranjan in his popular programme, ‘’Mahaul kya hai” on News 24 and so many others. Many such valiant reporters were seen covering different aspects of the Lok Sabha elections. The thoughts and concerns of the common Indian voter were being brought to us viewers, sitting in the comfort of our homes even as the unprecedented heatwave conditions continued worsening across the country.
The other laudable heroes were the polling officials and the staff deployed on election duty. They, like the on-ground reporters were seen discharging their duties towards this national cause with utmost diligence. All this, when the mercury was touching fifty degrees in parts of North India during the sixth and the seventh phases! They were the backbone of the election machinery, travelling to remote areas to set up polling booths and ensuring free and fair elections. Sadly, news of their sub-par working conditions were surfacing from time to time. They were also seen travelling to small towns and villages in non-AC buses! One wonders why the government couldn’t provide air-conditioned buses to them despite the weather predictions. After all, they were the ones who were expected to efficiently manoeuvre the largest democratic process at the grassroots level.
Soon, the shocking news of 33 poll workers in UP having succumbed to heat related conditions and heat strokes emerged. This unfortunate piece of news was reported during the final days of the elections. Ironically, also highlighting a stark contrast to the news of a seemingly profligate, pre-wedding celebration, somewhere in Europe.
A heatwave is declared by the India Meteorological Department when the temperatures in the plains and in the hills exceed 40°C and 30°C respectively and if this temperature is more than 4.5°C above the normal range. Unfortunately, heatwaves are not yet included as one of the notified disasters under the Disaster Management (DM) Act of 2005.
Monetary compensation for the families was soon announced by the government. In my opinion however, this irreparable and tragic loss of human lives was entirely avoidable if preventive measures were in place. These poll workers lost their lives in the line of national duty. Precautionary measures like AC transport, coolers and fans, electricity, safe and cool drinking water, access to hygienic food, emergency health care facilities including ambulances and para- medical staff should have mandatorily been provided in all polling booths. This tragedy, points to the contrary.
The Election Commission of India’s instructions, clearly and extensively spell out the guidelines and standard operating procedures for all polling booths. These include the Assured Minimum Facilities (AMF) for the convenience of voters, senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PwD) as well as the polling staff. The aim is to assist and facilitate voters to cast their votes in a smooth and hassle-free manner, and also to provide an enabling framework to the polling personnel to discharge their duties efficiently. The AMF include provisions for safe drinking water, proper lighting or electricity arrangements, ramp and wheelchair availability, sufficient number of toilets for males and females or mobile toilet vans (depending on topography), medical kits, tented arrangements for shade, etc. One cannot help but question if these guidelines were being complied with or adhered to, as envisaged.
The Lok Sabha Elections are a periodic national event, every five years (after a full term) and take place in the harsh summer weather. Given its cyclical nature, the election machinery must be well-oiled in a way that caters for vagaries of the weather. Today, as a result of global warming and more frequent El Nino events, extreme heat conditions and heat waves are a reality. Unseasonal rains, snowing and flooding too are becoming common. Instead of a knee jerk reaction to these, proactive systems and procedures by the government are needed to prevent loss of lives in future elections.
These polling personnel who were victims to the heatwave deserved a conducive environment to perform their duties and we as a nation owe them gratitude.
The festival of democracy should be a celebration of our power and strength as citizens of the country, without being clouded by tragic loss.
Views are personal
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