Poll workers in Mohali get training on managing heat waves

The district government arranged the first round of training in Mohali, Kharar, and Dera Bassi ahead of the polls.

District Election Officer Aashika Jain said that 5,448 employees—including Presiding Officers, Assistant Presiding Officers, and Polling Officers—were chosen at random by the program to receive training after the randomization of polling workers.

According to her, the purpose of the first training session was to acquaint the polling officials with the EVMs and VVPATs, their election-related responsibilities, and the report forms that they must turn in on voting day. They were also instructed to run practice polls on EVMs prior to beginning real polling, she said.

Prior to the actual voting, the DEO announced that four training sessions would be held throughout the area. According to her, the workers received training today in two sessions to prepare them for the intricacies of election day.

According to DEO Jain, representatives paid visits to the Government Polytechnic College in Khuni Majra in Kharar, the School of Eminence in Phase 3B1, Mohali, and the Dera Bassi Government College.

DEO Jain convened a meeting with the district’s Assistant Returning Officers (SDMs) to discuss the possible hazards related to the heat wave during the voting process. “Heat wave management has been included as a part of the training of polling staff,” she remarked, addressing the gathering. In the event that a voter becomes ill, the staff has been instructed on how to manage the issue. In order to combat the heat, the poll workers and volunteers would bring drinking water, ORS pouches, and damp towels to the voting places. The AROs have been directed to set up emergency response plans, flexible queue management, medical facilities, fans, hydration stations, and waiting places for voters with physical disabilities.