Bhubaneswar: With heatwave expected to intensify, the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Odisha, has issued a detailed advisory to ensure the safety of the officials concerned and electors during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls scheduled from May 30 to Sept 6.
Directive Issued to District Election Officers
In a directive issued on Monday, additional CEO Sushanta Kumar Mishra asked all district election officers (DEOs), electoral registration officers and field staff to strictly follow precautionary measures while carrying out door-to-door verification, enrolment drives and other outdoor activities.
Timings Adjusted to Avoid Peak Heat
The advisory mandates avoiding fieldwork during peak heat hours between noon and 3pm. Instead, officials have been asked to conduct activities in two shifts — from 6 to 11am and from 4 to 7pm — with flexibility based on local conditions.
Protective Gear and Hydration Essentials
Field staff, including booth-level officers (BLOs), have been instructed to maintain adequate hydration, wear light cotton clothes and use protective gear such as caps and umbrellas. Carrying essential kits comprising drinking water, ORS packets and mobile phones has been made mandatory.
Monitoring for Heat-Related Illnesses
Authorities have also directed the supervisors to closely monitor symptoms of heat-related illnesses such as dizziness, nausea, fatigue and dehydration among staff, and ensure immediate medical assistance, if needed. To safeguard voters, the advisory called for shaded waiting areas, proper ventilation and availability of drinking water and ORS at enrolment camps and facilitation centres. Priority services must be extended to senior citizens, pregnant women and persons with disabilities.
Coordination with Health Department
The CEO’s office has further asked the DEOs to coordinate with the health department, keep ambulances ready and track weather alerts regularly. In case of severe heatwave warnings, midday activities may be rescheduled or curtailed.
Strict Compliance Emphasized
Officials warned that any negligence in implementing safety measures will be viewed seriously, stressing the need for strict compliance to ensure smooth and safe conduct of the revision exercise across the state.
Extensive Field Activities During SIR
Official sources said the SIR involves extensive field-level activities such as house-to-house visits, enrolment camps, filing claims and objections, and elector facilitation services till publication of the final electoral roll. During this period, the state is likely to experience heatwave conditions, particularly in May, June and July, which may pose serious health risks to field functionaries and electors. Keeping that in mind, the advisory has been issued. On Monday, 20 places in the city recorded temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius.
