Lucknow, India – At least 33 polling staff in Uttar Pradesh tragically lost their lives on the final day of voting due to heatstroke, as scorching temperatures swept through the region. The intense heatwave, with temperatures exceeding 45 degrees Celsius in many areas, resulted in a devastating toll on the election workers.
The India Meteorological Department reported that temperatures in Jhansi reached a staggering 46.9 degrees Celsius, contributing to the extreme conditions faced by the polling personnel. Among the deceased were security guards and sanitation staff involved in the election process.
Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa of Uttar Pradesh announced that the families of the deceased would receive a compensation of 1.5 million rupees (US$18,000) to assist them during this difficult time. The impact of dehydration and severe heat exposure can lead to blood thickening and organ failure, experts explained.
In a separate incident, a voter in Ballia collapsed while standing in line to cast his ballot, causing further distress during the electoral process. The individual was rushed to a medical facility but unfortunately did not survive.
India, accustomed to sweltering summer temperatures, is facing longer, more frequent, and increasingly intense heatwaves as a result of climate change. Despite these challenges, Prime Minister Narendra Modi appears poised to secure a third consecutive victory in the recent elections, according to exit polls and Modi’s own confidence in his success.
The official results of the election are scheduled to be announced on Tuesday, solidifying the outcome of the electoral process and shaping the future leadership of the nation. The tragic loss of polling staff serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers posed by extreme weather conditions, prompting a reevaluation of safety measures for future election events.