Today, Saturday, Indian voters cast their votes in the penultimate stage of the general elections, at a time when temperatures are expected to rise to 47 degrees Celsius in the capital, New Delhi.
More than 111 million people in 58 electoral districts in eight states and union territories are eligible to vote in the sixth phase of the seven-stage general elections, including the capital region and the northern states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
Officials are concerned that a heatwave in parts of northern India, including Delhi and the neighboring state of Haryana, could discourage voters from going to polling stations.
“There is concern, but we hope that people will overcome the fear of the heatwave and come and cast their votes,” Delhi’s chief electoral official, P Krishnamurthy, told Reuters.
The voting stages began on April 19 and will continue until June 1, and the counting of votes is scheduled for June 4.
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