(New Delhi) The second stage of India’s general elections takes place on Friday with millions of voters expected at polling stations in certain regions of the country where there is scorching heat.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi (BJP, Hindu nationalist party) is almost assured – in the face of a struggling opposition – of winning these elections extended over six weeks.
Turnout in the first stage of voting last week fell by almost four points, to 66%, compared to the 2019 election, with the Indian press blaming the decline on higher-than-average temperatures.
Shortly before polling stations reopened, Narendra Modi urged voters to participate in “record numbers”.
“High voter turnout strengthens our democracy,” he wrote on the social network X. “Your vote is your voice!” »
The second stage of voting, which has seven stages to ease the logistics of electing the world’s most populous country, is taking place in regions that this week experienced temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius.
According to the Indian Meteorological Services on Thursday, intense heat waves are expected throughout the weekend in several states including the eastern state of Bihar, where five districts will vote on Friday.
Temperatures more than 5.1 degrees Celsius above the seasonal average were recorded there this week.
The state of Karnataka (south) and parts of Uttar Pradesh (north), India’s most populous state and heart of the Hindu faith, are also expected to vote in the heatwave.
“The turnout, generally expected in the early hours, is quite low,” says Shyam Sundar Bharti, an election officer in Mathura in Uttar Pradesh. “It’s because of the heat,” he adds when the weather forecast predicts 41°C.
Mr. Modi, aged 73, is still very popular after two terms, during which India increased its diplomatic influence and economic weight.
Political analysts have already given him the victory against a coalition of opposition parties.
“There is a certain disinterest among some BJP voters,” says Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay, a political analyst and biographer of Mr. Modi, “because hearing the leaders say ‘we will have 400 seats,’ they say to themselves: ‘why scrap the heat ?” »
“Soldier of the Constitution”
Earlier this week, India’s Election Commission said it had formed a task force to examine the impact of heatwaves and humidity ahead of each stage of voting.
According to the daily The Hinduthis decision could have been taken, because “the heat wave conditions could have led to a drop in electoral participation”.
In a press release published Monday, the commission indicated that it had “no major concerns” about the consequences of high temperatures on Friday’s vote, while ensuring that it was closely monitoring weather reports before claiming to ensure “comfort and well-being.” -be voters and electoral staff”.
An exceptional heat wave affected South and Southeast Asia, particularly in the Philippines and Bangladesh where thousands of schools suspended classes.
In the state of Maharashtra, the heat disrupted Roads Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday, who collapsed while calling for votes for the BJP in an election rally.
Mr Gadkari collapsed unconscious, video footage showed, and later blamed the incident “on the heat”.
According to scientific research, heat waves are longer, more frequent and more intense due to global warming.
The constituency of India’s main opposition leader, Rahul Gandhi of the Congress party, votes on Friday.
The 53-year-old is fighting to keep his seat in the southern state of Kerala, a stronghold of the BJP’s opponents.
“It is the duty of every citizen to become a soldier of the Constitution, to leave home today and vote to protect democracy,” he wrote on X.
In total, 968 million Indians are expected to elect the 543 members of the lower house, more than the total population of the United States, the European Union and Russia combined.
Ballots across the country will be counted on June 4. Results are usually announced the same day.
reference: www.lapresse.ca