Odisha’s Chief Electoral Officer Nikunja Bihari Dhal on Tuesday said political parties will be advised against conducting rallies, processions and public meetings between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. keeping the predictions about heatwave in mind.
As India Meteorological Department projected that heatwave episodes could surge by 2.5 times in the next three months, conducting elections in Odisha, a State highly susceptible to heatwaves, might pose a challenge. However, Mr. Dhal exuded confidence on readiness to tackle the situation.
“This summer is going to be severe. Typically, elections are concluded in Odisha in April. However, this year, Odisha’s election schedule coincides with the peak of the harsh summer season in May,” he remarked
