Heat wave kills at least 33 poll workers as India’s election wraps up in searing temperatures

New Delhi CNN —

India’s relentless heat wave killed 33 poll workers as the country concluded its final day of voting in the world’s largest general election, officials said, underscoring the impact of searing temperatures in recent days.

The workers died in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, the state’s chief election officer, Navdeep Rinwa, told reporters at a news conference. Their families will receive $18,000 each in compensation, he added.

Voters and election workers have endured an extended period of unusually high temperatures across much of the country’s north as India voted in a seven-phase election that began on April 19. The last phase took place on June 1.

At least 61 people have died from heat strokes, heat exhaustion, dehydration and other heat-related illnesses since May 24, according to local health and government officials.

Of that number, at least 43 were election workers, authorities said.

Election duty is compulsory in India for public sector employees. They’re assigned by the election commission before polling begins.

A woman stands beside her family member who is suffering from heatstroke in Varanasi, India, on May 30, 2024.

Home to more than 1.4 billion people, about 969 million were eligible to cast their vote — more than the populations of North America and the European Union combined.

Election rules state that voters should be no more than 2 kilometers (1.24 miles) from a polling station.

To carry off such a huge election, India relies on a network of some 15 million polling officials and security staff, with some of these election workers traveling via road, boat, camel, train, and helicopters to reach citizens across the vast nation.

Northwest and central India have been