Extended poll timings, ORS, medical teams to help voters deal with heat on poll days
Ranchi (PTI): In anticipation of intense heat during the Lok Sabha polls in Jharkhand, comprehensive measures have been put in place to mitigate the effects of heat waves on voters, officials, and security personnel.
These include extending poll timings, setting up makeshift sheds, providing ORS and lemon water, and deploying medical teams and ambulances, an election official said.
The elections will be conducted in seven phases from April 19 to June 1, with Jharkhand's voting taking place on May 13, 20, 25, and June 1 for its 14 seats.
With over 2.55 crore eligible voters, including 1.25 crore women, increasing voter turnout amidst the heatwave presents a significant challenge for both the state and the Election Commission.
In 2019, Jharkhand's overall voter turnout was 66.8 per cent, lower than the national average of 67.4 per cent.
To address this measures such as extending polling hours from 7 am to 5 pm and providing temporary shelters at booths have been implemented.
Additionally, facilities like drinking water, ORS, and lemon water mixed with salt and sugar will be available, along with medical teams stationed at each polling station to handle emergencies.
Jharkhand Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) K Ravi Kumar assured that these arrangements aim to ensure voters' safety and convenience during the polling period.
The CEO said they have taken several initiatives to reduce the impact of heatwave conditions on voters.
"Keeping in mind the safety of voters, we have extended the poll timing. Voting will start at 7 am and end at 5 pm. It means electors can exercise their franchise in the morning hours or in the second half as per their convenience. To spread awareness in this regard, we will soon launch a slogan 'Abki Baar, Din Bhar Matdaan'," Kumar told PTI.
Temporary sheds of 15x15 feet are being set up in all the booths of the state. "There will be permanent as well as temporary sheds for the polling parties and voters in all booths this time," he said.
Besides drinking water facilities at the booths, there will be arrangements of ORS and lemon water mixed with salt and sugar at selected booths.
"Two employees will also be deployed to provide drinking water at all booths. We are also planning to keep earthen pots for drinking water wherever possible," Kumar said.
Voting will be conducted in a total of 29,521 polling stations this time, up from 29,464 in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
State Health department officials said medical teams will be deployed at every polling station to deal with sudden emergencies. Mobile ambulances and air ambulances for emergency needs will also be kept on standby.
Kumar said, "Paramedical staff will be deployed at every polling station and they would be equipped with a medical kit, comprising life-saving drugs, ORS and other required medicines. Mobile ambulance and air ambulance facilities will also be available for emergency services."
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Rickelton's ton in vain as SRH beat MI by 6 wickets
Mumbai (PTI): Ryan Rickelton's whirlwind unbeaten ton was overshadowed by Heinrich Klaasen's unbeaten 65 as Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Mumbai Indians by six wickets in an IPL match here on Wednesday.
Chasing an imposing 244-run target, Travis Head (76 off 30) and Abhishek Sharma (45 off 24) shared 129 runs for the opening wicket to set the platform for SRH.
Klaasen (65 not out off 30 balls) then displayed his all-round hitting abilities to guide SRH home with the help of Nitish Kumar Reddy (21) and Salil Arora (30 not out off 10) in 18.4 overs.
Earlier, Rickelton's knock powered MI to 243 for five.
MI rode on a 93-run stand between Rickelton (123 not out off 55 balls) and Will Jacks (46 off 22) in 7.1 overs for the opening stand to power the side.
MI skipper Hardik Pandya scored a valuable 31 off 15 balls before being dismissed.
Praful Hinge (2/54), Eshan Malinga (1/29), Sakib Hasan (1/39) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (1/31) were the wicket-takers for SRH.
Brief Scores:
Mumbai Indian: 243 for 5 in 20 overs (Ryan Rickelton 123 not out; Praful Hinge 2/54).
Sunrisers Hyderabad: 249 for 4 in 18.4 overs (Travis Head 76, Heinrich Klaasen 65 not out; AM Ghazanfar 2/51).
