Kolkata: Voters and polling officials had a tough time fighting the scorching sun during the day with a government official on poll duty dying of heat stroke in the third phase of West Bengal Assembly polls today.
Rabindranath Ghosh (40), a block-level officer who was involved in queue information system at booth number 65 in Burdwan’s Mangalkot constituency, died after suffering a sun stroke as he was standing for long hours, EC officials said.
Burdwan, which is reeling under a heatwave, recorded 42 degrees Celsius during the day, the Met office said.
Murshidabad district was no better with Baharampur town recording the highest day temperature of 42 degrees Celsius.
In Nadia’s Krishnagar, the mercury went upto 40 degrees Celsius while Kolkata, where polling was also held in seven seats, saw 38 degrees Celsius temperature.
In many places, voters were seen waiting outside polling booths since morning to avoid the sweltering heat of the day.
Election Commission officials said they have instructed all polling officials to ensure that voters stand in queue under shade. Arrangements for drinking water was also made at most places.