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Indians await election results today as heatwave kills 30 electoral officers

The northern part of India is the most affected region by the heatwave.

• June 4, 2024
India flag
India flag used to illustrate the story[Credit: Euronews.com]

After six weeks of voting, the results of India’s general election is expected to be announced on Tuesday following the conclusion of the electoral process in which over 30 electoral officials died from heat.

The turnout in the election was high with more than 640 million Indians estimated to have voted as Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought a third term in office. But the poll has been marred by multiple deaths from extreme heat across the country.

According to the New York Times, the northern part of India is the most affected region by the heatwave which has killed more than 61 people including 30 electoral workers across several states in the Asian country.

The temperature in some areas was as high as 47 degrees Celsius with the government instructing people in the city of Jharsuguda and Odisha to stay indoors during the day. In Uttar Pradesh’s Mirzapur district, 13 are suspected to have died from heatstroke.

Meanwhile, 14 people were said to have been killed by the extreme weather conditions in Bihar state. Deaths were also recorded in the districts of Bhojpur, Rohtas, Kaimur and Aurangabad.

The Election Commission of India said it was still counting the number of deaths, the Times reported.

Nevertheless, the 2024 election is considered a success in terms of peacefulness and logistical operations in a region known for its frequent political turmoil but experienced nearly undisrupted electoral process for the first time since the country became a republic 75 years ago.

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