People show their voting cards as they wait their turn to vote in the Lok Sabha election at Mason de Amori polling booth in Panaji, on Tuesday.
Photo Credits: Narayan Pissurlenkar
PANAJI
The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer spared no effort in ensuring that heat mitigation arrangements at each polling booth remained intact, with each premises equipped to combat the scorching heat.
Fans and coolers were installed and refreshment drinks were made available to quench the thirst. However, despite meticulous planning, these arrangements encountered certain challenges as some polling stations saw delays in the timely arrival of the refreshment drinks, which angered voters.
Moreover, certain polling stations had coolers but lacked provisions for refilling water.
“We have just activated the cooler. However, there are no pipes to refill it. Are we expected to continually fetch water to fill the coolers and also perform our poll duties,” an official stationed at a Panaji polling station, questioned.
Nevertheless, fans and to some extent the dry air cooler provided respite to the voters, who turned out in large numbers -- even during the afternoon hours --despite the heat.
Furthermore, in locations such as Pernem, the delivery of refreshment drinks was delayed by over two hours, despite the CEO's stipulated timings of 9 am to 4 pm. After complaints from senior citizens, officials hastily arranged the supply, which proved insufficient to cater to the actual voter count across two booths in close vicinity.
Although problems were seen in other places, many voters refrained from complaining, considering efforts taken for the overall arrangement. The CEO had arranged for 200ml bottled and tetra packs of lime, orange and mango juice, and 20ltrs of water jars at each polling booth.
Another grievance arose from a resident in Panaji, who confronted BJP’s North Goa candidate Shripad Naik regarding the closure of eateries, and restaurants. “I am hungry. Where should I hunt for food when all these places are closed because of voting,” the angry voter questioned Naik, who initially attempted to pacify him but in vain.
