India is currently in the midst of a heatwave, with temperatures soaring above 45 degrees Celsius in several cities and resulting in multiple deaths from heatstroke. At the same time, parliamentary elections are being held in the country. According to reports from the BBC, at least 50 individuals have lost their lives due to the extreme heat, leading authorities to take action.
In response to the heat, schools in certain regions of India have been temporarily suspended, causing streets to be empty and many shops to be closed as people try to stay indoors as much as possible. The High Court in Rajasthan has criticized authorities for not taking sufficient measures to protect the public from the extreme heat.
The parliamentary elections in India are a massive undertaking, lasting six weeks and spanning seven stages. Many election officials are required to be on duty all day, often in the open air, which has led to several deaths from heat-related causes. In Uttar Pradesh, at least nine election officials passed away due to the heat on a recent Friday. Voters are also facing challenges due to the heat, as queues form at polling stations and individuals are forced to wait in the scorching sun. Election commissions are providing water and fans to those waiting in line to cast their votes. With 970 million people eligible to vote, these elections are being hailed as
