Achi news desk-
The lack of basic services in many polling stations in Emek Barak is a matter of concern because both voters and officials suffer
After the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections held on April 19, the Election Commission of India (ECI) conducted a nationwide survey as there was a four percent drop in polling compared to 2019.
Also Read: Assam records 77.35% voting in second phase of Lok Sabha elections
The ECI has prepared a plan to make all polling stations across India equipped with basic amenities to combat the heat. However, Emek Barak presented a different picture when its two constituencies – Karimeng and Silchar – went to polls on April 26 in the second phase, with many polling stations lacking these basic services.
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GPlus visited the polling station located in Mahadevpur village under Dholai Legislative Assembly segment of Silchar Lok Sabha constituency. Bam Premananda ME School was converted into a polling station, but there was no drinking water arranged for the voters who had been queuing since morning in the scorching heat.
A voter, Arup Das, who spoke to GPlus said, "At least there should be a facility of cold drinking water for the senior citizens in this scorching heat, and the polling station is also not equipped with clean toilets."
A police officer on duty at the cell who spoke to GPlus said, "Forget the voters, even the officials don’t get water to drink. There is no respite from this heat wave and that too during the elections."
The schools also had no access to fans as voters lined up on the balcony to vote.
Similar scenes were witnessed at the polling station located in Mohanpur under Hailkandi assembly segment of Karimganj Lok Sabha constituency.
Voting at the ballot box there he said," There is no drinking water, fan or even clean toilets."
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday issued the advisory to all State/UT Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) on preventing the impact of heat waves before and during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
General elections will be held in the state from April 19 to June 1 to elect the 543 members of the 18th Lok Sabha.
In a letter addressed to CEOs, ECI said that the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has indicated the probability of higher than normal temperatures during the upcoming summer season, which may translate into longer duration of heat waves especially from March to June 2024. In this regard, a copy of the Dos and Don’ts Issued by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) regarding minimizing the impact of heat waves.
ECI’s letter regarding Assured Minimum Facilities (AMF) is to provide consolidated instructions in lieu of all existing instructions on the subject.
“The committee directs the CEOs/DEOs to conduct a full AMF gap analysis at each polling station and work with state authorities to permanently provide these AMFs at the polling stations. It also provides voters with facilities to vote comfortably. The AMF engages the sector officers to visit polling stations/venues to assess their value,” the letter said.
“The commission also orders the establishment of polling booths on the ground floor of a building to facilitate voting for old and disabled men. A fixed ramp of maximum 1:12 gradient should be provided for persons with disabilities (PwD) and senior citizens. The Supreme Court also ordered that wide publicity be given about the provisions of the ramps “, the letter also said.
But, even then throughout the country, it was found that central and basic services were lacking in the polling stations.
The GPlus team tried to talk to the district administrations of the Karimanj and Silchar constituencies, but they were too busy conducting the polls.
It should be mentioned that many parts of the Barak Valley still face frequent power outages and in rural areas if a voter wants to purchase cold water from any store, it is difficult because the refrigerators in the stores are not functional due to the power outages. .
