New Delhi. Many reasons have been given for the low voting percentage during the first two phases of Lok Sabha elections in the country. But everyone from parties to experts are citing extreme heat and heatwave as a major reason for this. About 66 percent voting took place in the first two phases. In view of this, a demand has been made to the Election Commission to change the timing of voting. Due to the heat, a request has been made to the Election Commission to fix the voting time for the May 7 Lok Sabha elections from 6 am to 7 pm.
Karnataka BJP on Friday requested the Election Commission to change the voting timings from 6 am to 7 pm in 14 parliamentary constituencies in the state, where voting is scheduled on May 7. In the second phase in the state, voting is to be held in 14 blocks of northern districts on May 7 between 7 am and 6 pm. Due to the scorching heat, it has become difficult to come out and vote between 10 am and 5 pm. The BJP’s petition said the average heat in North Karnataka, covering 14 parliamentary constituencies, is between 37 and 42 degrees Celsius and it would be difficult for voters to come out and vote.
BJP’s request highlights the worrying rise in temperatures, which are likely to go above 40 degrees Celsius. It has also been said that the number of voters above 40 years of age is high and they are vulnerable to heatwave. In BJP’s request, the Election Commission has been requested to take necessary action to maintain the good spirit of voting. Voting was held in 14 constituencies between 7 am and 6 pm on April 26 during the first phase of Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka.
FIRST PUBLISHED: May 3, 2024, 20:25 IST