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ECI constitutes task force to watch heat conditions before every phase of the poll

in National April 22, 2024 Comments Off on ECI constitutes task force to watch heat conditions before every phase of the poll 205 Views

Newdelhi:22/4/24:DG IMD today informed the Election Commission that there is no major concern about the heat wave for phase 2 of the General Elections scheduled on the 26th of this month. The weather forecast is normal for the 13 States/UTs going for polls in Phase 2. Given reports of above-normal temperatures and heat waves in certain parts of the country, the Commission today held a meeting with concerned agencies to understand the developing weather situation and discuss measures to mitigate any risk due to hot weather conditions during the period of General Elections.

The meeting chaired by CEC Shri Rajiv Kumar along with ECs Shri Gyanesh Kumar and Shri Sukhbir Singh Sandhu was attended by Additional Secretary Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Head of Department, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and DG Meteorology, India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The following decisions were taken during the meeting:

  1. A task force comprising officials from ECI, IMD, NDMA, and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare will review the impact of heat waves and humidity, five days before each polling phase for any concerning developments and mitigatory measures, if necessary.
  2. The commission directed MoHFW to issue necessary instructions to state health authorities to prepare for and extend assistance in case of heatwave conditions affecting election operations.
  3. The Commission will hold a separate review with State CEOs to ensure adequate arrangements at polling stat, ions including shamiana, drinking water, fans, and other assured minimum facilities, per its existing advisory dated March 16, 2024.
  4. IEC (Information, Education, and Communication) activities shall be carried out amongst the public for preventive measures (Do’s & Don’ts) to mitigate the heat wave impact in polling station areas.

The Commission has been closely monitoring the weather reports and will ensure the comfort and well-being of voters along with polling personnel and security forces, candidates, and political party leaders.

Background:

Keeping in view the seriousness of the matter, the Commission had already issued an advisory dated 16.03.2024 to all CEOs regarding “Prevention of Heat Wave Impact” along with Commission standing instructions regarding Assured Minimum Facilities at polling stations for strict compliance by all CEOs in States/UTs.

The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and NDMA have also issued advisory/guidelines on mitigating the risk of heat wave-related issues earlier. M/o Health & Family Welfare has directed all states to prepare a state action plan as part of their public health advisory.

About Editor in chief

Ashok Palit has completed his graduation from Upendranath College Soro, Balasore and post graduation from Utkal University in Odia Language and literture.. He has also carved out a niche for himself as a scribe of eminence after joining the profession in 1988. He is also an independent media production professional. He brings loads of experience to Advanced Media, Ashok Palit as a cineaste has been active in film criticism for over three decades. As a film society activist, he soared to eminence for his profound commitment to the art film appreciation and aesthetics of cinema. His mode of discourse is often erudite but always lucid and comprehensible marked by a perfect acumen so rare in the field. A film aesthete with an immense fond of critical sensibilities, he wrote about growth and development of odia cinema in New Indian Express, The Times of India, The Hindustan Times, The Asian Age and Screen. He has been working as an Editor for Cine Samaya from 2002-2004.. He had made solid contribution on cinema in many odia Dailies and weekly such as Samaj, Prajatantra, Dharatri, Samaya, Satabadi, and weekly Samaya.
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