Lok Sabha elections 2024: 18 polling staff die on duty as heatwave grips UP and Bihar

According to a press note released by the Mirzapur district administration, three members of a polling party deployed Friday for the last phase of elections were taken to hospital after their health deteriorated suddenly. They died while undergoing treatment. The three were identified as Umesh Srivastava, a consolidation officer; Shivpujan Srivastava, a clerk in the state health department; and Ravi Prakash, a sanitation worker.

The district administration said the exact cause of death will be known after autopsy but it is being suspected that the prevailing heatwave in the region may have worsened their health conditions.

The administration said the Mirzapur Superintendent of Police reported heat-related deaths of five home guards, all aged 50 and above, who were on poll duty. The five were identified as Baccha Ram, 50, from Gonda district; Satya Prakash, 52, who was posted in Basti district; Ram Jiyavan Yadav, 50, from Gonda; Tribhuvan Singh, 55, from Prayagraj; and Ram Karan Singh, 55, from Kaushambi. Officials said the five were admitted to the Divisional Hospital in Mirzapur after their health deteriorated suddenly. They died during the course of treatment.

Officials said they were also checking reports of similar deaths of polling staff in Rae Bareli and Sonbhadra. While polling in Sonbhadra, which falls under Robertsganj Lok Sabha constituency, will take place Saturday, sources said in Rae Bareli, an official deployed in security of the EVM strongroom died. These deaths are yet to be officially confirmed.

In Bihar, 10 polling staff were among 14 people who died of heat-related issues in the past 24 hours.

A press note from the state disaster management department said: “According to the information received so far, a total of 14 people have died due to the extreme heat, which includes 10 election workers and four other people. The deceased include five election personnel in Bhojpur district, three election personnel in Rohtas district, one election personnel in Kaimur district and one election personnel and 4 other persons in Aurangabad district.”

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar issued instructions to District Magistrates of all 38 districts to carefully monitor the situation. “Let there be availability of doctors round the clock at all primary healthcare centres and water at all important locations,” said a press note issued by the Chief Minister’s Office.

The state government announced ex gratia compensation of Rs 4 lakh to next of kin of each victim.

Sasaram and Karakat Lok Sabha constituencies, which cover Rohtas district, Arrah constituency in Bhojpur district and Buxar constituency are among eight seats in Bihar that will go to the polls on Saturday.

Heatwave conditions have prevailed across Bihar in recent days, with the day temperature crossing 44 degrees Celsius at several places Thursday. The Bihar government Wednesday ordered closure of all schools, coaching institutes and Anganwadi centres until June 8.